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POWERBANK CAPACITY LIMITS THAT CAN BE CARRIED INTO AIRCRAFT CABINS

WHILE on board an airplane, not all items can be carried in the baggage. For example, is a powerbank. However, not all airlines in Indonesia forbid passengers to bring powerbanks. However, there are limitations regarding the power capacity in the spare battery.

According to information, this capacity has been regulated by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in addition, there are also provisions from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation which were published in early March 2018. The provisions are stated in Circular Letter (SE) Number 15 of 2018 concerning Provisions for Carrying Portable Battery Chargers and Backup Lithium Batteries on Aircraft.

In these two provisions, it is stated that the maximum capacity of the powerbank that is brought into the aircraft cabin (not the aircraft cargo cabin) is 160 watt-hours (Wh). Meanwhile, the detailed provisions are that powerbanks with a capacity of under 100 Wh can be brought into the aircraft cabin.

For those with a capacity of 100-160 Wh, it can be brought with the approval of the airline. Meanwhile, powerbanks with a capacity of more than 160 Wh are absolutely prohibited from being brought into the aircraft cabin.

To find out more, the following is a list of items that are prohibited from being carried in aircraft baggage:
1. AirAsia Indonesia
AirAsia Indonesia airline prohibits passengers from bringing powerbanks as checked baggage. Then, e-cigarettes and small vehicles and battery-powered vehicles, such as e-bikes, are also prohibited from being carried in checked baggage.

However, portable electronic devices containing lithium metal, cells, or lithium-ion batteries may be included in checked baggage. Other electronic devices such as cameras, cell phones, laptops, and Cam Recorders containing lithium or ion batteries with a capacity of 100-160 Wh for personal use can be carried in cabin baggage.

2. Lion Air
Lion Air airline allows passengers to bring a powerbank with a maximum capacity of 100 Wh or 20,000 mAh into cabin baggage and not checked baggage (aircraft cargo cabin).

Passengers can also bring a powerbank with a capacity of 100-160 Wh if it has obtained approval from the airline. For other electronic devices such as the 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro (marketed September 2015-February 2017), passengers can take it as checked baggage and cargo.

Regarding the provisions on the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices, Lion Air prohibits passengers from using them during take-off, landing or moving on parking runways, runways, and runways.

Passengers are also prohibited from using them while in the aisle, emergency window seats and exit doors on the plane. Other items that cannot be carried are luggage such as bags, suitcases, and other packages with alarms attached.

3. Batik Air
Airplane passengers are allowed to bring a power bank into the cabin if the capacity does not exceed 10,000 mAh or around 20-30s Wh. As an illustration, based on the power bank owned by the author, the capacity of 5,000 mAh when converted to Wh units is 18.5 Wh. For the Wh capacity of a power bank with a capacity of 10,000 mAh, you can estimate how many Wh you have with that mAh capacity through the description given previously.

4. Citilink
Citilink airline, through information on its Facebook account, explained that passengers can carry a powerbank in their cabin baggage. However, the stipulation is that the powerbank capacity must be below 20,000 mAh. Passengers can only bring a maximum of two powerbanks.

If you bring a power bank with a capacity above 20,000 mAh, passengers are required to report it to the staff at the check-in counter or gate. They are also required to turn off the power bank and secure it so that objects do not accidentally turn on. Passengers are prohibited from charging mobile phones or other electronic devices during the flight.

5. Garuda Indonesia
Referring to the provisions of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation in March 2018, citing the official Garuda Indonesia website, the airline allows passengers to bring powerbanks into the passenger cabin. However, the powerbank or lithium battery that is brought must have a maximum capacity of 20,000 mAh or no more than 100 Wh with a voltage of 5 Volts.

Meanwhile, for capacities at 20,000-32,000 mAh or above 100-160 Wh, passengers must obtain permission from the airline and can only bring a maximum of two units. The power bank that is brought must have a clear description of the power and capacity of use. During the flight, passengers are prohibited from using it either for recharging or connecting powerbank connections to other electronic devices.

6. Sriwijaya Air
The airline has no information about carrying powerbanks on board. However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation requires all airlines in Indonesia to comply with SE Number 15 of 2018 which has been in effect since March 9, 2018. Through the news listed on the official website of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation at the Ministry of Transportation, airplane passengers can carry a powerbank in their cabin baggage if the maximum power capacity is not more than 100 Wh.

If the capacity is at 100-160 Wh, passengers must obtain approval from the airline. If permitted, they may only carry two units per passenger. Powerbanks whose power capacity is not clearly known—such as no information on Wh and mAh, or no information on one of the two quantities, for example only information on Wh or mAh—should not be taken on board.

7. Super Air Jet
Similar to Sriwijaya Air, they also did not find information about carrying a power bank on the official Super Air Jet website. However, the rules for bringing powerbanks on planes still refer to SE Number 15 of 2018 from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Transportation. [kompas.com/photo special]