Air Busan bans portable chargers and power banks in overhead luggage after fire at Gimhae Airport
Published: 05 Feb. 2025, 11:27
Updated: 05 Feb. 2025, 16:58
![A screen at Incheon International Airport informs passengers on Tuesday that supplementary battery packs are not allowed in checked luggage. [NEWS1]](https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/data/photo/2025/02/05/bdf9dfcc-558c-4204-9f72-1ee32a1d74af.jpg)
A screen at Incheon International Airport informs passengers on Tuesday that supplementary battery packs are not allowed in checked luggage. [NEWS1]
Air Busan will prohibit passengers from having portable chargers or power banks in luggage intended for overhead bins, following suspicions that a supplementary battery may have caused a fire aboard one of its passenger jets at Gimhae International Airport on Jan. 28.
The airline announced the new measure on Tuesday as part of its efforts to minimize fire hazards on board.
Starting Friday, carry-on bags will be checked for portable chargers or power banks at the entrance gate. Only bags with a special tag or sticker indicating they have been inspected will be allowed in overhead bins, making it virtually impossible to carry portable chargers or power banks in carry-on luggage except in rare cases. Passengers can still bring the devices onboard, but they must keep them in their possession.
The measure will first be implemented on select routes as a pilot program before expanding to all flights.
Passengers will also be required to acknowledge and agree to the no-battery-in-bin policy when receiving their tickets and during the boarding process. A text message reminder about the policy will be sent a day before departure, and in-flight announcements will increase from two to three times.
To enhance fire safety, Air Busan will equip flights with new fire-resistant gloves for crew members and provide additional training, including drills covering different fire severity levels. A dedicated training facility will be enhanced to simulate real-life fire scenarios.
On Jan. 28, a fire broke out aboard an Air Busan plane bound for Hong Kong at Gimhae International Airport before takeoff. All 176 passengers and crew were safely evacuated via an emergency slide, although seven suffered minor injuries.
Although the exact cause of the fire remains undetermined, passengers and crew have suggested a portable battery or another item in the overhead bin may have ignited the flames.
A joint investigation involving approximately 20 officials, including Korean firefighters, police and representatives from France’s Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, concluded Monday. The results have yet to be disclosed.
Meanwhile, Korean Air and Asiana Airlines said they are considering similar measures, "reviewing a plan to prevent passengers from storing portable battery chargers in overhead bins" and planning to "strengthen training for flight attendants on related regulations."
The two carriers have already been making in-flight announcements on all flights, advising passengers to keep portable battery chargers and lighters with them at their seats.
BY WOO JI-WON, SARAH CHEA [[email protected]]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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