Travellers planning on flying with regional budget airline Malindo Air will have to leave their dreams of being an off-brand Marty McFly on the ground, as the carrier announced today that it will not allow hoverboards and similar “electric personal movement” devices on their flights.
A statement from the airline said the new policy – which covers a ban on hoverboards, Segways, Mini Wheels, electric scooters, and electric bicycles – is in accordance to directives from Malaysia’s Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) and recommendations from the International Air Transportation Association (IATA).
The new ban doesn’t mean Malindo will prohibit anything with an electric battery (that could possibly blow up or burst into flames) from their flights: the airline will still allow passengers to carry on board with them devices such as laptops, phone battery packs, digital cameras, and any medical devices that require lithium batteries less than 100 Watt-hour rating or lithium content of less than two grammes.
Just to be extra safe, however, Malindo requires that all spare lithium batteries be stored in a separate plastic bag or a protective pouch, or secured in its intended terminal with adhesive tape.
Because everyone knows plastic bags help prevent electrical fires?
