The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has reiterated safety regulations on power banks, warning travelers that those exceeding 160 watt-hours (Wh) are strictly prohibited on flights.
The reminder follows recent aircraft fires suspected to have been caused by overheating lithium-ion battery packs. CAAP clarified that power banks under 100Wh are allowed in hand-carry luggage, while those between 100Wh and 160Wh require airline approval.
Foreign carriers have already tightened their policies. In January, a power bank reportedly caused a fire on a South Korean Air Busan aircraft. Since March 1, flights departing South Korea have banned passengers from storing power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins, though they may still carry them on their person. Meanwhile, major Taiwanese airlines, including EVA Air and China Airlines, now prohibit power bank use during flights.
CAAP urges passengers to check their power bank specifications and comply with airline safety rules to prevent similar incidents.
