South Korea’s transport ministry has introduced stricter aviation safety measures, set to take effect on March 1, following a fire incident on an Air Busan aircraft last month. The new regulations will limit the number and type of portable batteries allowed on flights to prevent similar incidents.
According to a Reuters report, passengers will now be permitted to carry a maximum of five portable batteries with a capacity of up to 100 watt-hours, while those exceeding 160 watt-hours will be strictly prohibited. Security checks will also include battery inspections, and charging portable batteries on board will no longer be allowed.
Additionally, power banks and e-cigarettes will not be allowed in overhead cabin bins, aligning with a recent policy change by Air Busan. The ministry stated that these measures aim to reduce the risk of battery-related fires, although the exact cause of the January 28 fire at Gimhae International Airport remains under investigation.
The fire, which started in an overhead luggage bin, was quickly detected by a flight attendant, and all passengers were safely evacuated. Aviation safety guidelines globally prohibit placing batteries in checked luggage due to the risk of short circuits leading to intense fires.
