Following yet another incident involving an exploding power bank at Roxas Airport in Capiz, airlines once again reminded air travelers not to bring power banks that exceed their permitted capacities.
In an advisory, AirAsia Philippines appealed to passengers to carefully review and comply with the updated regulations on carrying battery-powered devices.
The airline reiterated their policy that passengers can carry up to five power banks, each with a maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours.
If travelers wish to bring more than five power banks, those with capacity of 100 watt-hours or those between 101-160 watt-hours (maximum of 2) are subject to airline approval.
Also, power banks must be hand-carried, not placed inside checked baggage.
The use of power banks during the flight is strictly not allowed, and devices should be stored properly - either under the seat or in the seat pocket.
"Guest safety begins even before takeoff. Fortunately, our updated power bank policy has helped us avoid any incidents inflight so far, but we can't let our guard down," AirAsia Philippines head of Communications and Corporate Affairs Steve Dailisan said.
Last June 24, one of its passengers flying from Roxas to Manila had an unreported power bank with a capacity of 326 watt-hour, well exceeding the airline's permitted limit.
The power bank caught fire and exploded during x-ray screening at Roxas Airport.
"Thankfully, no one was injured, but the device's extreme capacity (well over 100 watt-hour limit) is a serious alert for air travel safety. AirAsia personnel immediately assisted the authorities for the disposal of the device. Safety should always be a shared responsibility among airline staff and guests. On top of our strict implementation of standard operating procedures (SOP), we continue to encourage guests to stay informed, communicate, and make honest declarations with our crew so we can keep every flight safe," Dailisan added.
The airline will continue to inquire about lithium battery-powered devices and assess them to ensure they meet safety requirements, in accordance with standard procedures.
"Reminders will also be consistently delivered across all guest touchpoints, from check-in, to pre boarding announcements and inflight briefings, ensuring full awareness and compliance throughout the journey," AirAsia management said.
Earlier this year, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reinforced its directive through updated safety bulletins (Advisory Circular 18-005) in response to the increased number of incidents related to lithium batteries.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has noted a 38-percent increase in lithium battery incidents reported between 2022 and 2024, with airport checkpoints and aircraft cabins cited as the most common locations for overheating and smoke emission events.
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