Air Busan is implementing stricter safety measures regarding power banks after a recent onboard fire incident. The airline will prohibit passengers from placing power banks in luggage stored in overhead bins. Instead, travelers must keep them in their personal belongings to ensure any overheating or smoke can be immediately addressed.
Passengers’ carry-on bags will be inspected at boarding gates, and those without power banks will be tagged and permitted in the overhead compartments. The airline plans to introduce this policy on selected trial routes before extending it to all flights.
In addition to these restrictions, Air Busan will enhance crew training on fire response and introduce more fire containment equipment onboard. The airline cited a rise in overheating power banks as the reason for these new precautions.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently underway, led by South Korean authorities. “Air accidents are nearly always caused by a combination of factors, according to experts.” While the official cause has yet to be determined, Air Busan is taking proactive steps to prevent similar incidents.
Incident Details and Safety Concerns
The fire broke out on January 28, 2025, while an Air Busan aircraft was preparing for departure to Hong Kong. A flight attendant noticed smoke coming from an overhead luggage bin on the rear left side of the cabin. Fortunately, all passengers and crew were safely evacuated.
Lithium batteries, commonly used in mobile phones, laptops, tablets, electronic cigarettes, and spare power banks, are known for their fire risk. International safety guidelines prohibit placing these batteries in checked luggage due to the potential for intense fires caused by short circuits or manufacturing defects.
Cabin crew are equipped with fire extinguishers and specialized thermal containment devices to isolate overheating electronic devices. However, Air Busan’s updated policies aim to reduce the chances of such incidents occurring in the first place.
With these safety measures in place, Air Busan seeks to enhance passenger security while preventing future in-flight fire risks.
