Air travellers urged to ditch power banks as more airlines ban in-flight use

Hong Kong air travellers are being advised to leave their power banks at home and bring charging cables as a group of South Korean airlines becomes the latest to ban the use of the portable batteries during flights.A local tour operator issued the guidance on Friday after Hanjin Group announced that, starting from January 26, its five carriers would ban the use of the devices on board their aircraft as part of enhanced flight safety measures.Yuen Chun-ning, managing director at travel operator WWPKG, said that while his clients had not expressed particular concern about growing restrictions, the agency was recommending that their clients leave the devices at home.“We are advising travellers not to use any power bank on board [and] preferably not to bring any with them,” he said. “Safety comes first.”He suggested travellers take a charging cable with them instead, as some plane seats are outfitted with outlets for passengers to plug into.According to South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, passengers will not be allowed to charge their electronic devices using portable batteries while flying with Korean Air, Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul.Passengers are also restricted from charging their power bank on board the planes, and must keep the device within arm’s reach. Storing the device in an overhead bin is strictly prohibited.