Qatar Airways has issued a passenger advisory banning the use, carriage, or check-in of several specific Anker power bank models onboard its flights, following safety concerns and product recalls issued by the Chinese electronics manufacturer.
The Doha-based airline confirmed that the prohibited devices are models recently recalled due to the potential risk of overheating, emitting smoke, melting, or catching fire. These include:
- Anker A1647, A1652, A1681, A1689, A1257 – recalled in June 2025 as part of a global safety notice.
- Anker PowerCore 10000 – recalled in June 2025.
- Anker A1642, A1647, A1652 – recalled earlier in October 2024.
In June 2025, Anker acknowledged the issue and announced the recall of these products, stating that while the probability of malfunction was low, the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to ensure user safety.
The manufacturer cited a manufacturing defect in the internal battery cells that, under certain conditions, could result in dangerous overheating and fire hazards.
Qatar Airways, in its statement, urged passengers to check their devices before travelling and not to bring affected models to the airport, whether in carry-on or checked luggage. The airline stated that the ban is part of its “commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards for all passengers and crew.”
Airline safety regulations already require passengers to carry lithium-ion battery devices such as power banks in carry-on luggage only, but this ban specifically targets devices that are on a formal recall list.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) and several other carriers worldwide have also issued similar advisories on recalled electronics in recent years due to fire risks, with incidents involving portable chargers leading to inflight smoke alerts and emergency landings.
Qatar Airways said it will continue to review manufacturer recall lists and adapt its policies accordingly, adding that passengers can visit the airline’s official website for a full list of prohibited items.
Passengers who own the affected Anker models are encouraged to contact the company directly via its official recall programme for a free replacement or refund.
