MANILA, March 13 -- Singapore Airlines and its subsidiary, low-cost airline Scoot, are banning the use and charging of power banks during flights beginning April 1.

"The SIA Group complies with the International Air Transport Association's (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations regarding the carriage of power banks, which are classified as lithium batteries," the two said in separate advisories.

Passengers will neither be allowed to charge the power banks through onboard USB ports, nor use the power bank to charge portable devices.

Power banks are not allowed in checked baggage, and must be carried in cabin baggage on all SIA flights.

"Customers may bring power banks with a capacity of up to 100Wh without special approval, while those bet...