Southwest Airlines will soon require passengers to keep their portable chargers visible while using them, amid concerns over an increasing number of lithium-ion battery fires on board flights.
A spokesperson for the Texas-based carrier told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that using portable charging devices while stored in a bag or overhead bin will no longer be permitted.
“In the rare event a lithium battery overheats or catches fire, quick access is critical, and keeping power banks in plain sight allow for faster intervention and helps protect everyone onboard,” the spokesperson said.
The policy is set to go into effect on May 28, though some passengers may have already seen notifications about the rule when using the airline’s app, the spokesperson noted….