From Monday, airline passengers have been banned from using and charging their power banks during flights and storing portable chargers in overhead compartments.

The ban by the Civil Aviation Department came after a returning Hongkong Airlines' flight on March 20 had to make an emergency landing in Fuzhou due to a fire triggered by a portable charging device.

An Air Busan plane that was also bound for Hong Kong caught fire as well in January at its home airport for the same reason.

A traveller surnamed Cheng told RTHK at an in-town check-in centre that the regulation would not affect her in-flight experience.

“I know about the rule, and I don’t think it will affect me,” she said.

"I can still put my power bank under the seat, there is sufficient space.

“I saw some news of planes catching fire due to these chargers, so I think for everyone’s safety, I am not in any rush to charge my phone.”

Another flyer, Gillett, said he had not heard about the new rule.

“No, not a word,” he said.

"No [impact on me] at all.

"I don’t have any power banks, and I charge my phone ahead of time and turn it off when I’m on the plane.

This was echoed by a passenger, Stark, who also does not own a portable charger.

“No [effect on me],”she said.

"I just watch the in-flight entertainment, and I just plug [my phone cable] into the [USB port in the seat in front].