On Wednesday, low-cost carrier AirAsia announced a ban on a range of battery-powered personal transportation devices.

These include, the airline said , “hoverboards, Segways, mini-Segways, electronic scooters, solowheels, airwheels, balance wheels and similar equipment”, although exceptions can be made for electric wheelchairs.

While it may seem strange, AirAsia's move is only the latest in a widespread ban by airlines against carrying such devices on aircraft, whether as check-in luggage or as carry-on luggage.

The culprit here, it turns out, are the volatile lithium-ion batteries used to power these devices.

If mishandled or short-circuited, these batteries are liable to overheat and catch fire, especially if they are poorly made.

These self-balancing scooters have been popular in the United States over the current holiday season, but a number of incidents have highlighted the dangers associated with these batteries.

“An exploding two-wheeler burned down a house in Louisiana a few weeks ago; another scooter combusted in the same state in the past week. A gyroboard caused significant damage to a home in New York a few days ago. At a mall in Washington this week, a scooterboard caught fire and shoppers were forced to evacuate...