Turkish Airlines (THY) has taken an important safety measure based on the recommendation of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), announcing a ban on carrying smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries on aircraft. The decision aims to prevent potential risks that could jeopardize flight safety.
The recommendation issued by the DGCA follows a recent notable incident. A passenger aircraft belonging to a private airline flying from Istanbul to Seoul was forced to return to Istanbul Airport while crossing Kazakh airspace due to a portable charger (powerbank) falling between seats, causing a security risk. Following this event, the DGCA recommended imposing restrictions on the use of portable chargers during flights.
Acting on the DGCA’s advice, Turkish Airlines stated on its website:
“Smart luggage refers to devices that include integrated lithium batteries capable of charging external devices, GPS tracking systems, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, self-weighing features, and digital locks. Smart luggage with non-removable lithium batteries cannot be carried either as cabin baggage or checked baggage.”
THY also clarified that smart luggage with removable batteries may be allowed under certain conditions, which are:
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If carried as cabin baggage, the lithium battery must be removed from the luggage and stored separately in the cabin.
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The removed battery must be kept in its original packaging, have its terminals insulated, or be stored in plastic protective bags to prevent short-circuit risk.
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For smart luggage checked in as cargo, the battery must be removed and carried in the cabin.
