Elegbede Abiodun
United Nigeria Airlines has issued a safety instruction asking passengers to carry power banks only in hand luggage and forbidding their use or charging during flights.
According to a notice posted on its official X account on Wednesday, the airline said the measure follows regulations by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on lithium battery-powered devices.
Following the new rules, passengers must keep power banks in their carry-on baggage, as they are not allowed in checked luggage. The airline also prohibited charging power banks or using them to charge phones or other electronic devices while onboard.
Travellers were instructed not to store power banks in overhead compartments but to keep them visible and within easy reach throughout the flight.
United Nigeria Airlines stated that each passenger may carry a maximum of two power banks, with each device not exceeding 100 watt-hours (Wh), in line with aviation safety standards.
Power banks contain lithium-ion batteries, which aviation authorities classify as potentially hazardous because they can overheat, catch fire, or explode if damaged or mishandled.
Under global aviation safety rules adopted by national regulators, lithium batteries are banned in checked baggage and subject to strict capacity limits in aircraft cabins.
The NCAA oversees compliance with these regulations and classifies lithium battery-powered devices as dangerous goods that require careful handling during air travel.
Airlines around the world have tightened restrictions on power banks after cases of overheating devices in aircraft cabins.
United Nigeria Airlines said the directive aims to maintain cabin safety and ensure smooth travel for passengers. The airline urged travellers to comply fully with the rules to protect lives and aircraft operations.
