Travelers in China have faced unexpected challenges as the country’s aviation authority has instituted an emergency ban on certain portable batteries on flights, citing escalating safety risks. The ban, effective from Saturday with minimal notice, follows significant product recalls and safety incidents involving these devices.
China Enacts Emergency Ban on Some Portable Batteries for Flights Amid Safety Concerns
China Enacts Emergency Ban on Some Portable Batteries for Flights Amid Safety Concerns
As accidents prompt tighter restrictions globally, China's new regulations catch travelers by surprise.
Many travelers arrived at airports only to be informed that specific batteries were prohibited from being taken onboard. The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) announced the ban just two days prior, warning that portable batteries lacking clear Chinese safety certifications or those that have been recalled would no longer be allowed on planes.
This measure aims to mitigate the risks that have arisen from recent incidents of portable batteries igniting mid-flight. As a result, the new regulations have sparked confusion among passengers, with some lamenting the resulting loss of their essential charging devices, which have become a staple for modern travel.
The CAAC's notice highlighted that recent recalls of portable batteries and fires linked to these devices necessitated immediate action. It stated that "these factors demonstrate that portable batteries carried by travelers contain hidden safety and quality dangers," emphasizing the potential risks they pose to the safety of civil aviation.
In light of these concerns, various airlines and countries are tightening regulations concerning how these batteries are used and stored onboard flights. Notably, major Chinese manufacturers, such as Anker and Romoss, have recently recalled millions of power banks in the U.S. and China due to lithium-ion battery failures, adding to the urgency for stricter measures.
Anker responded to the hazards by recalling over one million units sold in the U.S. and another 700,000 models in China. Similarly, Romoss announced recalls on three products linked to supplier issues, amounting to nearly 500,000 devices akin to those flagged in the new regulations.
As the aviation sector grapples with these challenges, travelers are left to navigate new rules and potential inconveniences, shedding light on the pressing need for enhanced safety protocols concerning portable batteries in air travel.
Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul who covers breaking news.
This measure aims to mitigate the risks that have arisen from recent incidents of portable batteries igniting mid-flight. As a result, the new regulations have sparked confusion among passengers, with some lamenting the resulting loss of their essential charging devices, which have become a staple for modern travel.
The CAAC's notice highlighted that recent recalls of portable batteries and fires linked to these devices necessitated immediate action. It stated that "these factors demonstrate that portable batteries carried by travelers contain hidden safety and quality dangers," emphasizing the potential risks they pose to the safety of civil aviation.
In light of these concerns, various airlines and countries are tightening regulations concerning how these batteries are used and stored onboard flights. Notably, major Chinese manufacturers, such as Anker and Romoss, have recently recalled millions of power banks in the U.S. and China due to lithium-ion battery failures, adding to the urgency for stricter measures.
Anker responded to the hazards by recalling over one million units sold in the U.S. and another 700,000 models in China. Similarly, Romoss announced recalls on three products linked to supplier issues, amounting to nearly 500,000 devices akin to those flagged in the new regulations.
As the aviation sector grapples with these challenges, travelers are left to navigate new rules and potential inconveniences, shedding light on the pressing need for enhanced safety protocols concerning portable batteries in air travel.
Yan Zhuang is a Times reporter in Seoul who covers breaking news.
