South Korea’s Air Busan has announced a new policy prohibiting passengers from storing power banks in overhead cabin bins. This decision, revealed on Tuesday, is a precautionary measure following a fire incident on one of its aircraft last week.
An investigation led by South Korean authorities into the cause of the fire is currently underway, but no definitive explanation has been determined. Aviation experts suggest that air accidents often result from a combination of factors. As part of the new policy, passenger carry-on bags inspected at boarding gates and found to be free of power banks will be tagged and permitted in overhead bins. The new measure will be trialled on selected routes before being implemented across all Air Busan flights.
Passengers will be required to keep power banks in their personal possession to ensure that any instances of overheating, smoke, or fire can be quickly identified and addressed. In addition to this policy, Air Busan has also announced enhanced fire safety measures, including increased crew fire training and the installation of additional fire containment equipment on board. The airline has noted a rise in cases of power banks overheating, prompting these proactive changes.
The fire, which occurred on January 28, while an aircraft was preparing to depart for Hong Kong, was first detected by a flight attendant in an overhead luggage bin on the rear left-hand side of the plane. Fortunately, all passengers and crew members were safely evacuated without injury.
Lithium batteries, commonly found in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, spare power banks and electronic cigarettes, pose a significant fire hazard if damaged or defective. According to global aviation standards, they must not be placed in checked-in luggage due to the risk of intense fires caused by short circuits.
Cabin crew are equipped with fire extinguishers and thermal containment boxes or bags to isolate overheating or burning devices while in flight. The new policy aims to further enhance passenger safety and prevent similar incidents in the future.
