Charging disorder: it is proposed to ban the use of powerbanks on airplanes
Rosaviatsia recommended that the Ministry of Transport work out the issue of amendments to the aviation legislation providing for a restriction or complete ban on the use of powerbanks on board aircraft during flight. The initiative was prepared following an investigation into the incident with the Ural Airlines plane, when a portable device caught fire during a flight from Yekaterinburg to Istanbul in February. What may change for passengers and whether similar regulations apply in other countries is in the Izvestia article.
Why did the Federal Air Transport Agency think about restrictions on the transportation of powerbanks
Passengers of Russian airlines may be prohibited from using powerbanks on board. Rosaviatsia suggested that the Ministry of Transport consider such a measure, according to the report of the Ural MTU Department's commission on the investigation of the incident with the Ural Airlines aircraft. In February of this year, during a flight from Yekaterinburg to Istanbul, a portable device caught fire on board.
In a document available to Izvestia, it is reported that smoke in the cabin arose after a clap at the passenger seat carrying a powerbank. The flight attendants promptly extinguished the fire with a fire extinguisher, after which the device was placed in a container with water. As a result of the incident, the seat cushion and seat belt were damaged, and the passenger himself suffered a thumb burn.
The Commission concluded that the crew's decision to continue the flight was justified. At the same time, the identified shortcomings include the absence of a direct ban on the use of portable batteries by passengers in flight in the regulatory legal acts of the Russian Federation.
The document emphasizes that, against the background of repeated incidents involving the ignition of such devices, aviation authorities should consider making changes to aviation legislation, including limiting or completely prohibiting the use of portable chargers on board aircraft during the entire flight.
Izvestia sent requests to the Ministry of Transport and the Federal Air Transport Agency with a request to clarify whether the relevant restrictions or a complete ban are being worked out.
Ural Airlines reported that they are already following the recommendations of the Federal Air Transport Agency.
— The airline is familiar with these recommendations. Changes have been made to the rules of transportation," the press service explained to Izvestia.
According to the updated security requirements of the carrier, which were reviewed by Izvestia, powerbanks can be carried in hand luggage if a number of conditions are met. The devices must be packed in such a way as to eliminate the risk of a short circuit. For lithium-metal batteries, there is a limit on the lithium content — no more than 2 g, for lithium-ion batteries — on the specific power, which should not exceed 100 W/h. At the same time, the use of powerbanks is limited: they cannot be charged from power sources in the seat or on board the aircraft, as well as used to recharge mobile devices at all stages of the flight.
— We are aware of such recommendations. "We support additional security measures," the S7 press service told Izvestia. "According to our rules, portable chargers are allowed to be carried only in hand luggage, kept in the seat pocket or under the seat in front of the seat, and they cannot be used in flight.
At the same time, they stressed that the flight attendants are ready for any emergency situations on board.
"Since January 1 of this year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has changed the rules for transporting powerbanks and devices containing lithium batteries on board aircraft," the Aeroflot press service told Izvestia.
They clarified that the airline's official website has already posted requirements for the transportation of powerbanks. In particular, they should not be charged using power sources located in the seat / on board the aircraft at all stages of the flight, and they also cannot be used to charge other portable electronic devices. In addition, they should not be in hand luggage placed on luggage racks. They can only be in hand luggage under the seat in front of the chair or in a pocket on the back of the chair.
Azur Air has similar requirements. In addition, powerbanks should have plastic packaging, a protective bag, or a winding of the exposed poles of the contacts.
"We follow all the recommendations, comply with the legislation, and will make changes to our transportation rules if required by regulatory documents," the carrier's press service told Izvestia.
Why do powerbanks burn and explode
Since last year, in order to ensure the safety of flights, airlines around the world have been imposing restrictions on the use of powerbanks on board. These include the Lufthansa Group, AJet, Azal, Emirates, Pegasus, El Al and others. Since January 1, 2026, IATA has updated the rules for the transportation of powerbanks and devices with lithium batteries in the cabin. In addition, on March 27, the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concerning the safety of transportation of such devices on board were adjusted. The changes are aimed at minimizing the risks associated with lithium batteries, which can overheat, self-ignite or explode under certain conditions.
From April 24, Japan will join the restrictions, the Nippon portal reported. Previously, the airports of Hong Kong and Singapore introduced limits on the number of power banks — they are allowed to carry no more than two devices per passenger in accordance with the updated ICAO recommendations. At American Southwest Airlines, the number of power banks is limited to one device per person.
Ilya Zotov, Chairman of the All-Russian Passenger Association, believes that international experience should be taken into account when solving the problem of safe transportation of batteries on airplanes.
— In a number of countries, such as China, similar restrictions on the use of portable batteries are already in effect. At the same time, they do not create significant discomfort for passengers, since alternative charging methods are available on board, including sockets and USB ports. Thus, there are no significant difficulties for passengers," the expert told Izvestia.
According to him, the problem of safe transportation of powerbanks is still relevant for Russia.
"Sooner or later, restrictive measures will have to be taken, since the threat and consequences may be completely incomparable with the prohibited mechanisms,— Ilya Zotov emphasized.
In June 2025, a portable battery ignited on board Yakutia Airlines on a flight from St. Petersburg to Yakutsk. As a result, smoke appeared in the cabin and the carpet melted. The fire was quickly extinguished by the joint efforts of passengers and flight attendants. One of the passengers who helped to eliminate the incident suffered minor burns and received medical attention after landing.
Another case of powerbank smoke occurred at the end of July last year on an Aeroflot flight en route Antalya – Moscow. The crew took measures to eliminate the source of smoke and isolate it; there was no fire in this case.
As a rule, lithium-ion batteries ignite or explode in case of mechanical damage, for example, after falling, squeezing or other impacts. In addition, a short circuit may occur in the powerbank controller, including due to moisture ingress. All this can lead to spontaneous combustion of the device, even without active load, if it is simply in the bag.
When charging other devices, the risk also remains: even a serviceable power bank can overheat and ignite. That is why most airlines in the world, including Russian ones, prohibit the transportation of such devices in checked baggage. This is due to the fact that it is impossible to detect a fire in the luggage compartment in a timely manner, whereas in the cabin, if smoke appears, the fire can be quickly localized.
— If we are talking about the safety of passengers as consumers of aviation services, then any possible risks on board associated with fire and smoke should be excluded. Therefore, if it is impossible to provide a 100% safe scenario for carrying power banks, including in hand luggage, then, of course, we need to follow the path of a complete ban on their transportation," Oleg Pavlov, head of the Public Consumer Initiative, told Izvestia.
However, according to him, the power bank is often not a whim, but a necessary tool for communication and work, so a more balanced solution would be not a complete ban, but the introduction of an additional certification system for such devices with a proven level of security.
The activist also noted that many planes already have built-in sockets and USB ports, thanks to which passengers only need to have a charging cable with them.
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