Hong Kong’s flag carrier, Cathay Pacific Airways, has prohibited its pilots and cabin crew from carrying power banks on board while on duty due to safety concerns.
Aircrew members have criticized the policy as inconvenient and have pointed out a “double standard,” as passengers are not subject to the same restrictions.
The airline announced on Thursday that “operating crew are prohibited from carrying power banks with them on duty,” with the rule taking effect on Monday.
The airline explained that the measure was introduced “to enhance safety” and applies to both flight and cabin crew members.
Earlier today, Brenda Cheng, vice-chairwoman of the carrier’s Flight Attendants Union, said, “We don’t understand why there is a double standard when passengers are allowed to bring their power banks on board, but aircrew are forbidden from doing so.”
“We are now in discussion with the company and hope it can clarify this policy,” she added.
Furthermore, the airline stated in the notice that it would be implementing a new rule from the Civil Aviation Department, effective the same day, prohibiting passengers from using, recharging, or storing power banks in overhead compartments during flights.
According to the new guidelines, passengers must keep power banks on their person, in the seat pocket in front, or in their hand luggage under the seat. Charging electronic devices via USB ports in the seats is permitted where available.
The airline said it would remind passengers before and after boarding to remove power banks from their bags and avoid using or charging them during the flight.
As the new rules took effect, frustrations among Cathay passengers at Hong Kong International Airport became apparent.
Raymond Yeung, who was traveling to Shanghai, said, “If you bring it on board but can’t use it, it’s really pointless.”
“It’s the same as not putting it in the overhead compartment and just holding it — it’s still on the plane.”
He suggested that power banks should either be completely banned, or airlines should implement measures to ensure they meet safety standards and allow their use during flights.
Dickson Chan, an IT worker flying to Kuala Lumpur, described the rules as “superfluous” and particularly unreasonable for long-haul flights, though he found them acceptable for shorter journeys.
“Assuming it’s a long-haul flight, I think this is unreasonable… short-haul flights are OK,” he said.
When asked about past incidents involving power banks on board, Chan responded, “These issues didn’t just start happening today, and safety measures exist. The current revisions just seem unnecessary.”
Other passengers, like Liane Hui Yuk-lan, who was flying home to San Francisco, felt the new regulations were fair.
She pointed out that most planes are equipped with USB ports for charging phones and acknowledged that power banks shouldn’t be stored in overhead bins, as fires would be harder to detect there.
“Safety should always be the first priority — whether it is convenient or not is up to people to feel and decide… but safety first,” she said.
Hui also mentioned that airlines should do a better job of explaining the rules and the reasons behind them to help passengers understand and accept the changes.
“At the end of the day, we all just want to be safe and sound and have a happy trip without any worries.”
According to the airline’s notice, while passengers can bring power banks if they follow the rules, crew members are not allowed to and must rely on adaptor plugs to charge their devices.
Brenda Cheng, head of the Flight Attendants Union, said the restriction would cause major inconvenience for aircrew during international layovers, and she urged Cathay to address the crew’s charging needs.
She also noted that no other airline in Hong Kong has imposed similar restrictions on its operating crew.
Cheng said crew members understand the safety concerns but still need access to power banks after flights, especially in emergencies such as earthquakes or blackouts.
“We need our power banks to keep our devices, like mobile phones, functional for communication. Otherwise, we will be unable to perform our duties effectively, as we can’t stay updated on job-related matters.”
She proposed that Cathay explore other options, such as allowing crew to store their power banks in a secure box on the aircraft.
In a separate letter, the Hong Kong Aircrew Officers Association also called the ban “unnecessary” and urged the airline to align crew restrictions with those placed on passengers.
