Hong Kong passengers caught off guard by new airport limit of 2 power banks
Many passengers unaware of new rule, with few signs or announcements throughout airport
Air passengers departing from Hong Kong have said they were unaware of a new rule limiting the number of power banks they can carry to two, with few reminder signs visible at the airport on the first day of its enforcement on Sunday.
The concerns were raised after Hong Kong International Airport announced on Saturday night that departing passengers were restricted to carrying no more than two power banks each on flights.
Citing new regulations from the International Civil Aviation Organization and Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department, the city’s Airport Authority said the global aviation body had introduced the requirements to address emerging aviation safety risks posed by lithium battery power banks.
On Sunday morning, no specific notices concerning the latest regulation were displayed at check-in areas, and no public announcements were broadcast to alert passengers.
Most of the existing signs only reminded passengers not to place lithium batteries in checked luggage and not to use power banks during flights.
Just one department notice about the new rule was seen near the Greater Bay Airlines counters in the departure hall.
“The quantity allowed to be carried is limited to two power banks per passenger, and passengers are prohibited from recharging power banks during flights,” the notice said.