The US startup Torus Energy combines flywheel technology with 21st century battery chemistry in one advanced energy storage system

© Reuters.Planes from AirAsia, a subsidiary airline of Capital A, are seen on the tarmac of Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA2) in Sepang, Malaysia, February 26, 2024. REUTERS/Hasnoor Hussain/File Photo By Lisa Barrington SEOUL (Reuters) - Several airlines have updated their guidance on carrying lithium batteries onboard. The batteries are in devices such as cellphones and e-cigarettes, and can malfunction to produce smoke, fire or extreme heat. In 2024, three incidents of overheating lithium batteries on planes were recorded globally every two weeks by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, compared to just under one a week in 2018. Aviation has long recognised the batteries as a safety concern, and rules are periodically tightened in response to accidents. AIRLINES IN SOUTH KOREA In January, an Air Busan plane was consumed by flames while preparing to depart South Korea. Investigators have not issued a final report into the cause of the fire, but the transport ministry said on March 14 that a power bank was the possible cause. Air Busan was the first to change its policies to disallow power banks in overhead cabin bins, saying passengers should keep them on their person, to more easily spot any problems. From March 1, South Korea tightened rules for all South Korean airlines, including keeping power banks and e-cigarettes with passengers and not in luggage bins, and not charging devices onboard. AIRLINES IN HONG KONG Hong Kong’s aviation regulator said local airlines from April 7 must not allow passengers to use or charge power banks during flights, and they must not be stored in overhead lockers. On March 20, a Hong Kong Airlines flight departing China was forced to divert due to a "suspected hand carry baggage fire" in an overhead compartment. Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department said on March 24 it was "highly concerned about recent safety incidents suspected to have been caused by passengers carrying and using lithium battery power banks (power banks) on aircraft". Hong Kong-based carrier Cathay Pacific said it would implement the new regulations, adding that it recognised the importance of continuous improvement in aviation safety. The airline had earlier told Reuters it would not change its guidelines out of concern it would be hard to enforce and "may lead to negative unintended consequences". AIRASIA AirAsia, a budget airline owned by Malaysia’s Capital A, said it will ban the use and charging of power banks on flights from April 1. Power banks must also be stored in the seat pocket or under the seat, and not in overhead compartments. "These measures align with global aviation safety standards to reduce the risk of battery-related incidents during flights," the airline said. AIR ASTANA Kazakhstan’s Air Astana from March 13 prohibited charging or using power banks during flights and said lithium batteries, external batteries and e-cigarettes must be kept in hand luggage and placed on the luggage racks. BATIK AIR From March 14 passengers on Indonesia’s Batik Air, part of the Lion Air Group, may not use power banks in flight. Two power banks may be carried on their person and not in overhead cabins. "Passengers are also advised to exercise caution when carrying auto-magnet charge power banks, as these may pose additional risks," the airline said. CHINA China’s aviation regulator has said from at least 2014 that passengers should not charge devices using power banks during flight. CHINA AIRLINES Taiwan’s China Airlines said from March 1 power banks and spare lithium batteries must not be used or charged during flights. It also recommended that passengers not store power banks in overhead bins. EVA AIR Taiwan’s EVA Air prohibited charging and using power banks and spare lithium batteries on flights starting on March 1. It advised that most plane seats are equipped with USB power outlets if passengers need to charge other devices. MALAYSIA AVIATION GROUP (MAG) MAG, the parent of Malaysia Airlines, said power banks will be prohibited in overhead compartments from April 1. "During the flight, you may store them in your carry-on bag under the seat, or in the seat pocket in front of you," it said. Magnetic wireless power banks must be kept in a separate bag and charging or using of power banks will be prohibited during flights. SINGAPORE AIRLINES AND SCOOT Singapore Airlines (OTC:SINGY), including budget airline Scoot, from April 1 has prohibited passengers from using or charging portable power banks during flights. The airline told Reuters it regularly reviews in-flight procedures and regulations, and safety is the company’s top priority. THAI AIRWAYS Thai Airways from March 15 prohibited the use and charging of power banks and portable batteries during flights. VIETJET Vietnamese budget carrier VietJet said on March 24 that power banks must not be charged or used during flights, and must be taken out of cabin baggage and carried in a way they can be monitored. IATA GUIDELINES Airlines generally follow the lithium battery guidance in the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations, which state power banks must be carried in cabin baggage, not in checked baggage, and sets limits on the amount and strength of batteries that can be carried. European airline group Lufthansa said it adheres to IATA guidance, which has not changed. IATA’s head of safety Mark Searle said that investigations into the Air Busan and Hong Kong Airlines incidents have not yet concluded. "We really need the substantive evidence to be able to ensure whether there is a change to the system that needs an adaption of current standard operating procedures. Or actually it demonstrates that those standard operating procedures are robust and are doing what they’re supposed to do," he told Reuters. Air India said it constantly reviews policies based on industry events and regulatory recommendations. "As change from current practice may introduce new risks and there is no clear consensus on the best approach, Air India policy remains unchanged at this juncture," a spokesperson said. (This story has been refiled to spell out Hong Kong Airlines in paragraph 41) 0 Latest comments

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