The Hong Kong Civil Aviation Department recently introduced new regulations, completely banning passengers from using external battery packs, commonly known as 《Urine bag》, on airplanes or placing them in overhead compartments. Cathay Pacific took the restrictions even further by prohibiting its cabin crew from carrying external battery packs while on duty, sparking discontent among staff. Frontline cabin crew members are concerned that if their phones run out of battery, it could impact their ability to work effectively onboard and respond to emergencies.
According to updated guidelines from the Civil Aviation Department on April 7, passengers are prohibited from charging electronic devices or external power banks during flights, and external power banks must not be placed in the overhead compartments. Additionally, the requirements for Cathay Pacific crew members also came into effect on the same day, banning them from carrying external power banks during work hours.
A Cathay Pacific flight attendant mentioned in an interview with Now News that the new regulations pose a challenge for crew members working on long-haul flights. She highlighted that flight durations often exceed 10 hours, and upon arrival at the destination, crew members need to immediately use their phones to check critical information. However, charging equipment provided by hotels is sometimes unreliable, making external power banks an essential tool.
In addition, during the flight, the crew members also rely on the company’s app to handle various tasks, such as checking service information, menus, wine lists, and making announcements. The interviewed service staff emphasized that a low phone battery directly affects their work efficiency, yet Cathay has not provided them with charging facilities.
Apart from Cathay Pacific and its subsidiary Hong Kong Express, the other two airlines in Hong Kong have not yet imposed restrictions on crew members carrying external power banks.
