A recent incident at Melbourne International Airport has reignited concerns over the safety of lithium power banks during air travel. A man in his 50s suffered burns to his leg and fingers after a power bank in his pocket ignited in the Qantas business lounge. The device overheated, burst into flames, and filled the area with smoke, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 people. Quick-thinking staff assisted the man by placing him under a shower until paramedics arrived. He was hospitalized in stable condition and later released. Witnesses reported seeing ‘battery acid flying everywhere,’ according to The Age newspaper. The lounge was cleaned and reopened two hours later. Australian film producer Leanne Tonkes, who was present during the incident, shared an image of the burnt power bank on Instagram, expressing concern for the injured man and praising the swift response of staff and bystanders. This incident has prompted Qantas to review its policies regarding passengers carrying lithium batteries, including power banks. The airline is expected to announce updated guidelines soon. The incident is not isolated. In July, a fire on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart was attributed to a power bank stored in an overhead locker. The airline is now advising passengers to keep power banks ‘in sight and within easy reach’ during flights. Earlier this year, a fire believed to be caused by a power bank destroyed a passenger plane in South Korea. In response to these safety concerns, several international airlines, including Emirates, Cathay Pacific, China Airlines, Korean Air, and Singapore Airlines, have banned the use and charging of power banks during flights. Additionally, many airlines have imposed limits on the number and capacity of rechargeable batteries passengers can carry. For example, some airlines restrict passengers to two power banks with a capacity between 100Wh and 160Wh. These measures aim to mitigate the risks associated with lithium batteries, which are known to be prone to overheating and combustion under certain conditions.