Avinor disposes of more than 20,000 power banks annually packed in checked baggage

At airports around Norway, nearly 60 power banks are thrown away every day, because they are packed in the wrong baggage.

Mobile phone, passport, wallet and charging toolcharging toolA power bank is a rechargeable battery that can be used to charge phones or other portable electronic gadgets. .

These are probably the most important things to pack for your summer vacation.

However, if you pack the power bank in your checked baggage, you may lose it.

Due to the risk of fire, Power Banks must not be left in checked baggage.

Every year, airports in Norway get rid of more than 20,000 power banks they found in suitcases and suitcases.

It is difficult to control the fire

When baggage is checked in, it is sent through the X-ray machine and checked for dangerous goods.

At airports, more and more power banks are being discovered that need to be removed.

Power banks contain lithium batteries that can self-ignite. These batteries produce their own oxygen when they burn, and are therefore difficult to control, says Avinor’s senior security advisor Ole Folkestad.

These batteries can start to burn if damaged. Damage can occur if you drop it on the ground or charge it with too much force.

They may also have damage from faulty manufacturing.

If it starts to burn, modern aircraft should be able to maintain control, but the fire can spread.

Since batteries are difficult to control, they usually have to burn.

When checking in with airlines, you are asked to check that there is nothing dangerous in your baggage.

Here it says that the power bank should not be checked.

– By carrying batteries in checked baggage, they break this
The contract with the airline is thus the law, says Volkstad.

Only hand baggage is allowed

But do not despair. You can take the power bank with you when you travel. But it must be in the hand luggage.

– If the battery starts to develop heat in the cabin, the flight crew have special bags that enable them to limit a potential fire, Volkstad says.

Passengers are requested not to pack any type of rechargeable battery in their checked baggage.