Starting December 15, Qantas and its budget airline, Jetstar, will introduce new restrictions regarding lithium-powered devices on flights.

This decision comes in response to the rising number of passengers traveling with gadgets such as power banks. According to a survey by the International Air Transport Association, 44% of travelers carry power banks, while 83% have a phone, and 60% bring a laptop when flying.

Extensive testing has been conducted on batteries used in products from major tech brands like Apple and Samsung. However, this level of scrutiny may not extend to products from lesser-known manufacturers.

Qantas and Virgin Australia are among several airlines now prohibiting the use of power banks on their aircraft. This move aligns with broader safety measures being implemented across the aviation industry.

Qantas and Virgin Australia join a host of other carriers blocking the use of power banks on board. Source: AAP / Paul Miller

Wesley Dose, a battery researcher and senior lecturer in the School of Chemistry at the University of Sydney, said: “Some lower quality, cheaper devices have fewer safeguards, which comes with an increased risk of an incident involving these products.”

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned consumers in July there was a growing list of defective power banks that were at risk of overheating and catching fire.

The plane was preparing to take off from Busan’s international airport for a flight to Hong Kong when the fire started.

Is a power bank likely to catch fire on a plane?

“… the main challenge is that the potential consequences of an incident on a plane, especially while in flight, are more severe than other situations.”

Why do lithium batteries catch fire?

The vast majority of lithium batteries, when manufactured appropriately, are safe, according to the experts.

The risk increases with manufacturing defects, damage from dropping or crushing, cheap or poorly made batteries, overcharging or incorrect storage.

How do I safely use power banks?