Civil aviation authorities in Turkey have banned passengers from charging portable power banks on flights, thereby extending the restrictions on the use of these devices in the cabin. The new directive from the General Directorate of Civil Aviation states that “charging power banks during flights is prohibited” and sets new limits on the number of portable power banks passengers may carry.
With the update to the Flight Operations Directive published by the Turkish General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM), significant restrictions on the use of portable batteries in the aircraft cabin have come into force for flights operating in the Eurasian country. The new regulations aim to reduce risks, particularly those associated with lithium batteries.
The directive, drawn up by the SHGM and aligned with the international standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has been published on the agency’s official website and is therefore now in force. The new rules affect both passengers and airlines, general aviation operators and ground handling companies, according to reports in the Turkish media.
Limits on the number of external batteries per passenger
Under the new regulations, the number of devices passengers may carry is also limited. Specifically, the regulation stipulates that each passenger may carry a maximum of two power banks: exceeding this limit may result in the devices not being permitted on board. The regulation does, however, provide for exceptions: batteries carried by crew members for operational purposes are exempt from these restrictions, although those intended for the personal use of cabin crew will be subject to the new rules, just like those carried by passengers.
In recent years, aviation authorities have tightened restrictions on the use of portable external batteries for charging devices such as mobile phones. According to aviation safety experts, the main risk posed by power banks during flight lies in the delicate nature of lithium batteries. These types of batteries can cause a fire if they overheat, pose a risk of explosion due to short circuits, or trigger dangerous reactions if physically damaged; in enclosed, pressurised environments such as an aircraft cabin, an incident of this kind poses a serious threat to the safety of passengers and the aircraft, as the fire could spread rapidly.
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Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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