Emirates Airlines has recently restricted the use of power banks on its flights. This has implications for passengers who often use these devices to charge their electronic gadgets. The airline’s policy change limits passengers to carrying only one power bank, which must be clearly labeled with a capacity under 100Wh. Passengers can bring the power bank on board, but its utilization during the flight is not allowed.
The primary reason for this restriction is safety. Power banks contain lithium-ion or lithium-polymer batteries, which can overheat and potentially catch fire. This can occur due to a process called thermal runaway, where the battery’s temperature escalates, leading to fire or explosion.