Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines has implemented a new safety policy banning the use of portable power banks during flights, though passengers may still carry them in their hand luggage — provided they’re properly packed in accordance with airline guidelines.

“Passengers are allowed to bring a power bank on board,” Pegasus stated. “However, it must be packaged according to the airline’s regulations, and cannot be used during the flight.”

The move follows a growing trend among Turkish airlines to tighten regulations around lithium battery-powered devices due to potential fire hazards.

Just last week, Turkish Airlines also introduced a ban on “smart luggage” with non-removable lithium batteries, prohibiting such items in both cabin and checked baggage. Travelers may only carry these bags as hand luggage if they remove the lithium battery beforehand and store it separately in either original packaging or a plastic sleeve to prevent short circuits. Batteries may be reinstalled only after reaching the final destination.

These decisions come in the wake of a recent safety incident involving Asiana Airlines, where a flight from Istanbul to Seoul had to turn back midair over Kazakhstan. The emergency was triggered after a passenger accidentally dropped their power bank between seats, raising concerns about overheating or fire.

Turkey’s Minister of Transport Abdulkadir Uraloğlu confirmed that the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation has recommended local carriers prohibit the use of power banks during flights as a precaution.

The concern isn’t new — many airlines worldwide have already restricted high-capacity power banks and lithium-ion batteries due to their potential fire risk. But Turkey’s coordinated effort signals a tightening of rules, emphasizing safety amid growing air travel volumes.