Passengers laud rule on portable chargers

Ayra Wang

Travelers welcomed new aviation rules prohibiting portable charger use aboard local flights, which took effect yesterday.

The rules, announced earlier by the Civil Aviation Department, ban using power banks to charge devices mid-flight and storing them in overhead compartments.

Passengers must now keep power banks at accessible locations such as seat pockets or under seats.

Local airlines have posted check-in counter notices reminding travelers to hand-carry and pack them securely. Smart luggage must remain powered off throughout flights, with charging prohibited.

"It's much safer," said passenger Kwong at Hong Kong International Airport.

Chan, another traveler, noted recent incidents made the rules necessary. Asked if it was inconvenient, he said: "Not really. Most people turn off their phones or use flight mode anyway, and many planes have entertainment systems."

The policy follows a March 20 emergency landing by Hong Kong Airlines Flight HX115 after a suspected power bank fire filled the cabin with smoke. Crew and passengers extinguished flames using water and juice.

In separate news, the Air Accident Investigation Authority recently released reports on two incidents in 2018. A crash of an Aviation Club of Hong Kong, China aircraft at Ma Shi Chau was caused by the pilot initiating a spin maneuver below minimum altitude, resulting in loss of control. The pilot sustained minor injuries.

Another report detailed an Air India Boeing 787-8 that descended rapidly to 280 feet on approach to HKIA before the crew successfully executed a go-around and landed safely on the second attempt. Investigators attributed the incident to Instrument Landing System signal fluctuations and delayed crew response.

Meanwhile, Hong Kong's MTR is rolling out free Airport Express rides for children aged 3 to 11 using child Octopus cards until May 5. Two new QR code ticket machines accepting e-payments will launch at Airport Express urban stations on Friday, while a new shuttle waiting area at Tsing Yi Station now provides connections to Hotel COZi Oasis in Tsuen Wan.