Luftscamsa - Lufthansa Group Implements Total Usage Ban and Property Seizures for Power Banks

Lufthansa Group has enacted a comprehensive ban on the usage of portable power banks across its global flight network. The policy applies to operations under Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss. Passengers are now strictly prohibited from connecting electronic devices to portable batteries for charging while onboard. The carrier cited heightened fire safety risks as the primary justification for the move. The mandate includes a strict limit of two power banks per passenger. Devices with a capacity between 100 and 160 watt-hours require explicit transport approval from the airline prior to departure. Travelers who depend on external batteries for long-haul flights have described the policy as a significant service degradation. These devices are often necessary because the airline's in-seat power infrastructure is frequently unreliable or non-functional. Ground staff and security personnel at primary hubs like Frankfurt and Munich have intensified baggage inspections. They are specifically searching for batteries that lack factory-printed capacity markings. If a device lacks a legible label or exceeds the 160-watt-hour limit, it is subject to immediate summary confiscation. Airport authorities reportedly destroy these items as hazardous waste rather than offering storage or return options. This practice results in the permanent loss of expensive personal electronics for many travelers. There is currently no mechanism for passengers to arrange for the alternative shipping of seized property. Mr. Carsten Spohr, the Chief Executive Officer, said the safety of the flight environment must take precedence over individual convenience. He argued that unmonitored lithium-ion batteries represent a critical threat to cabin safety. Critics of the policy noted that Lufthansa remains an outlier compared to its international competitors. Most major carriers allow the use of portable batteries if they comply with standard International Air Transport Association guidelines. Consumer advocacy groups said the usage ban is a response to the airline's failure to maintain modern power outlets across its fleet. They argued that passengers are being penalized for the carrier's own infrastructure shortcomings. Legal analysts are currently reviewing whether the destruction of passenger property without compensation violates domestic consumer protection laws. They suggested that the lack of storage facilities constitutes an unreasonable burden on the traveler. Cabin crew members have been instructed to monitor for visible charging cables throughout the duration of the flight. Any passenger found using a power bank after the safety briefing will be ordered to disconnect it immediately. Refusal to follow these instructions is treated as a breach of safety protocols and a violation of crew authority. This can lead to administrative penalties or a permanent ban from all group airlines. The airline recommended that passengers ensure all devices are fully charged before arriving at the boarding gate. No exceptions will be made for professionals who require continuous power for specialized electronic equipment. This shift marks an escalation in the group's restrictive approach to passenger electronics. The policy has caused widespread confusion and frustration at boarding gates as travelers lose access to essential charging tools.