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Carrying power banks on airplane cabin now regulated
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Powerbanks allowed for carry-on baggage in the aircraft cabin must have a capacity below 100 Wh, or equivalent to less than 27,000 mAh, according to new rules. (Shutterstock/File)
Travelers must now adhere to new regulations on carrying power banks on airplanes, according to a new government policy.
The International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) latest technical instructions for the safe transportation of dangerous goods by air, which was made available in June last year, stipulates new regulations related to portable electronic devices containing lithium metal or lithium ion cells or batteries, also commonly known as power banks.
Power banks allowed for carry-on baggage in the aircraft cabin must have the capacity below 100 Wh, or equivalent to less than 27,000 mAh, according to the document.
In adhering to the ICAO's latest regulations, the Transportation Ministry has taken steps to modify security and safety measures in Transportation Ministerial Regulation no. 80/2017 on the National Civil Aviation Security Program (PKPN).
"The contents of the regulation are related to lighters and power banks to be carried on a plane. There are lighters and power banks that can be taken on board and some that cannot not," the ministry's air transportation director Gen. Agus Santoso said in statement released on Thursday, as quoted by tempo.co.
Agus pointed out that in accordance with the ministerial regulation, one matchbox or a gas lighter attached to each person, for example placed inside their clothing pocket, which did not contain liquid fuel is allowed in the cabin. However, matches and gas lighters are not allowed in cabin baggage or checked baggage.
Read also: Why smoking on flights is banned
Fuel or refillable gas lighters are completely prohibited. "Regarding the regulation, the use of matches, for example for smoking, on the airport apron or in the aircraft is also not allowed at all," Agus further explained.
Meanwhile, the rules related to power banks are issued by the IATA. Agus said the international airline association stated a power bank with a capacity under 100 Wh can be carried in the cabin. While a power bank with a capacity of 100-160 Wh must pass through the approval of the airline concerned. Meanwhile, a power bank with a capacity of more than 160 Wh is strictly prohibited in flight.
"A capacity of 100 Wh if converted in mAh, commonly inscribed in the power bank packaging, is 27,000 mAh. So power banks that can be brought freely into the cabin are those with a capacity under 27,000 mAh with a voltage of 3.6-3.85 V," Agus said.
The new regulation will be overseen by aviation security (avsec) to ensure its implementation.
"Avsec must understand the rules and apply them in the field well, decisively and carefully, but also must remain sympathetic," Agus said.
He added that the ministry would not hesitate to revoke an avsec license or airport management permit if the flight security regulations were not implemented. On the other hand, it would reward avsec officers who are successful in carrying out tasks related to aviation security. (liz/kes)
