Power banks have become an essential travel companion, but starting April 1, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot will ban their use and charging in-flight, citing safety concerns.

This decision follows a series of incidents involving overheating lithium batteries, including a Scoot flight fire in Taiwan and a Batik Air cabin smoke incident.

With airlines like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and South Korean carriers implementing similar restrictions, this raises pressing questions.

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Palani Balaya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, NUS,  to help understand the risks associated with power banks, the reasoning behind this ban, and what it means for air travel moving forward.

 

Presented by: Hongbin Jeong

Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (alexparada@sph.com.sg) and Hongbin Jeong

Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Power banks have become an essential travel companion, but starting April 1, Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Scoot will ban their use and charging in-flight, citing safety concerns.
This decision follows a series of incidents involving overheating lithium batteries, including a Scoot flight fire in Taiwan and a Batik Air cabin smoke incident.
With airlines like Thai Airways, AirAsia, and South Korean carriers implementing similar restrictions, this raises pressing questions.
On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to Associate Professor Palani Balaya, Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, NUS,&nbsp; to help understand the risks associated with power banks, the reasoning behind this ban, and what it means for air travel moving forward.
&nbsp;
Presented by: Hongbin Jeong
Produced and Edited by: Alexandra Parada (<a href="mailto:alexparada@sph.com.sg">alexparada@sph.com.sg</a>) and Hongbin Jeong
Want to get featured on our show? Drop me an email today!

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion,

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4–8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day’s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.

From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what’s happening — with clarity, context and a touch of personality.

Whether you’re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected — all the way home.

And she closes the day with a song that says it all.

Your Way Home with Hongbin Jeong is your 4&ndash;8pm drive companion, guiding you through the day&rsquo;s biggest headlines, trending conversations and the issues shaping Singapore and the world.
From news and current affairs to lifestyle insights and generational perspectives, the show helps you make sense of what&rsquo;s happening &mdash; with clarity, context and a touch of personality.
Whether you&rsquo;re catching up after a long day or tuning in on the move, Your Way Home keeps you informed, engaged and connected &mdash; all the way home.
And she closes the day with a song that says it all.