Airline Pegasus Prohibits Use of Portable Chargers During Flights
In a move aimed at enhancing passenger safety, Pegasus Airlines has introduced a ban on the use of portable chargers (power banks) during flights. This decision comes in the wake of a recent incident where a power bank was accidentally dropped between seats on a Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul to Seoul, causing the plane to return to the airport.
The destination of the flight in question was Seoul. This incident underscores the potential dangers posed by portable chargers, particularly lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat, short circuit, or experience thermal runaway—a dangerous self-sustaining chemical reaction that can produce heat, smoke, and flames. Such incidents can be catastrophic in confined aircraft spaces.
Key safety concerns include thermal runaway, which can occur if lithium-ion batteries overheat or are damaged. Fire incidents on flights have been on the rise, with multiple recent cases involving power bank fires on aircraft. These incidents can be challenging to manage, as batteries placed in overhead bins or hidden in bags are harder for crew to access quickly, increasing the risk during a fire.
Airlines worldwide are tightening their policies to reduce this risk. Emirates, for instance, bans the use of power banks onboard and limits passengers to carrying only one power bank under 100Wh with a visible capacity rating. These devices must be carried in seat pockets or under-seat bags for easy crew access, and charging onboard or using aircraft power supply is prohibited.
Similarly, Turkish Airlines has already implemented a rule banning "smart" suitcases with built-in batteries. Passengers are required to remove lithium batteries from these suitcases and carry them separately in their hand luggage. An alternative for travelers on Turkish Airlines is to use a regular bag instead of a "smart" suitcase with a built-in battery.
The Turkish Ministry of Transport has recommended that airlines limit the use of power banks on board and during flights. The new rule applying only to Pegasus Airlines prohibits passengers from using portable chargers during flights. However, passengers are still allowed to carry portable chargers in their hand luggage on Pegasus Airlines.
The incident involving the dropped power bank on a Pegasus Airlines flight from Istanbul to Seoul led to the new ban on portable charger use during flights. The airline urges passengers to be mindful of this change in policy and to comply with all safety rules implemented by airlines, which are aimed at ensuring passenger safety and preventing potential issues related to overheating or device fires.
- The flight, originally destined for Seoul, was forced to return due to a power bank incident on a Pegasus Airlines flight.
- worldwide airlines are enacting stricter policies to minimize the risk of power bank-related incidents, such as the ban on their use onboard by Emirates.
- Although prohibited from using portable chargers during flights, passengers are still permitted to bring them on Pegasus Airlines in their hand luggage.
