The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department has taken significant steps to enhance aviation safety by announcing new regulations regarding the use of external battery chargers on flights. Starting April 7, 2025, passengers will no longer be permitted to use external chargers—commonly referred to by the slang term '尿袋', which translates to 'urine bags'—to charge other portable electronic devices during flights. Additionally, these chargers cannot be recharged or placed on luggage racks.
This announcement, made on March 24, 2025, follows a series of safety incidents linked to lithium battery chargers. One notable incident occurred on March 20 when a Hong Kong Airlines flight, HX115, was forced to make an emergency landing at Fuzhou Airport after smoke filled the cabin, purportedly due to a fire caused by an external charger on the luggage rack. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the incident highlighted the potential dangers associated with these devices in the aviation environment.
The Civil Aviation Department has expressed serious concerns regarding the recent safety incidents involving portable chargers. "Passengers are not allowed to use external chargers to charge other portable electronic devices on flights," the department stated in its latest announcement. The regulations aim to further enhance aviation safety by mitigating risks associated with unregulated charger use.
The decision to implement these regulations was made following a meeting with representatives from local airlines on March 21, where the urgency of strict enforcement of existing regulations on passenger items was discussed. The new regulations are in addition to compliance with the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards for items passengers are permitted to bring on board. Starting April 7, airlines will be required to enforce this policy rigorously.
In light of the recent events, the Civil Aviation Department encourages all passengers with concerns to check for the latest updates with their respective airlines before flying. They noted that it is crucial for everyone to comply with the updated safety measures for their own protection and the safety of all passengers onboard.
These updates come against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on portable chargers following similar incidents globally. Earlier this year, in January, an Air Busan flight departing from Gimhae International Airport suffered a significant fire caused by a charger in the luggage compartment, leading to the evacuation of all 176 passengers onboard. Given the potential for such incidents to escalate, numerous countries and airlines are tightening their regulations regarding lithium battery chargers on flights.
As of now, the following new regulations will take effect in Hong Kong: passengers will not be allowed to use external chargers to charge their devices or to charge the chargers themselves. Furthermore, placing these chargers on luggage racks is expressly prohibited. The mission of these new directives is to minimize fire hazards resulting from lithium battery usage in confined spaces like aircraft cabins.
The urgency of these regulations reflects the growing trend of incidents associated with lithium battery devices, prompting action from aviation authorities to prevent future occurrences. The Civil Aviation Department aims to educate the public and ensure compliance among travelers.
As April approaches, passengers are reminded to verify the regulations with their airlines, as the enforcement of this new policy will be monitored closely. The need for vigilance and awareness among travelers has never been more critical in light of escalating risks associated with portable electronic devices in air travel. Enhanced cooperation between the Civil Aviation Department and local airlines will play a pivotal role in ensuring that passengers are well-informed and protected during their journeys.
This proactive measure is not just a reaction to recent fires; it signifies a move towards stringent safety practices that will keep both passengers and airline crew safer in an environment where technology and travel intersect.
