31.07.2025 23:51
Turkish Airlines announced that, due to flight safety reasons, smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries will no longer be allowed to be carried in the cabin or under the aircraft.
Recently, a plane of a private airline operating the Istanbul-Seoul flight had a passenger's portable charger fall between the seats while cruising in Kazakhstani airspace, and due to safety reasons, the plane had to return to Istanbul Airport. Following the incident, the General Directorate of Civil Aviation (SHGM) recommended banning the use of portable chargers (power banks) containing lithium batteries during flights.
NEW DECISION FROM THY: SMART LUGGAGE WITH NON-REMOVABLE BATTERIES WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED ON PLANES After the advisory decision from SHGM regarding airlines, Turkish Airlines (THY) made a new decision. Accordingly, smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries will no longer be allowed to be carried in the cabin or under the plane due to flight safety.
In a statement made on THY's website regarding the decision, the following was stated: "Smart luggage is devices that include integrated lithium batteries that allow charging of external devices, GPS tracking devices, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, self-weighing features, and digital locks. Smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries cannot be carried as cabin luggage or checked baggage. Smart luggage can only be carried as cabin luggage if the lithium battery is removed from the luggage, carried inside the cabin luggage, and not reattached to the smart luggage until the destination. To protect the separated lithium battery from short circuits while being carried in cabin luggage, the battery should be placed in its original packaging or terminals should be insulated or placed in protective plastic bags. Smart luggage must have the lithium battery removed and carried separately in the cabin when checked in."