Hong Kong’s civil aviation regulator is tightening rules on carriage of lithium-ion devices, days after an in-flight fire over China reportedly resulted in an Airbus A320 diversion.
The Civil Aviation Department says it is “highly concerned” about “recent safety incidents” on board aircraft suspected to have involved lithium-battery power banks.
While it does not specify these incidents, an Air Busan Airbus A321 was destroyed by fire on the ground at Gimhae in January.
The inquiry has yet to conclude but it spurred the Korean government to revise regulations on storing lithium-ion devices in cabin overhead bins.
On 20 March a Hong Kong Airlines A320, operating from Hangzhou, diverted to Fuzhou after an apparent fire in an overhead bin.
The Civil Aviation Department has not made reference to this occurrence, but states that it met with local airline representatives the following day, 21 March, and is issuing a new notice regarding passenger carriage and use of power banks.
It says that, from 7 April, airlines should “not allow” passengers to use power banks to charge other portable electronic devices, or recharge power banks during flight.
“Stowage of power banks in the overhead compartments is also prohibited with the same effective date,” it adds.
