South Korea Sets Powerbank Power Limits In The Aftermath Of The Busan Aircraft Fire

UNSPLASH/Minku Kang ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - South Korea announced the strengthening of flight safety measures following the fire on the Air Busan plane.

These regulations will include limiting the number and type of portable batteries (powerbanks) allowed in the country's airlines.

The move came into effect on March 1 for South Korean airlines after Airbus Air Busan's plane caught fire on January 28 at Gimhae International Airport in southern South Korea while preparing for departure to Hong Kong.

Based on new safety measures, passengers will be allowed to carry up to five 100 watt powerbanks, while powerbanks with a power of more than 160 watts will not be allowed on board.

Security searches will include checking the number and type of batteries, and charging portable batteries on planes will be banned, the transport ministry said in a statement reported by Reuters on Thursday, February 13.

Reflecting a similar decision taken by Air Busan last week, the ministry said it would prohibit passengers from storing power banks and e-cigarettes in baggage stored in cabin bins overhead.

The decision was taken as an effort to address concerns over potential portable battery fires, the ministry said, although the cause of the fire on the Air Busan plane has yet to be determined.

The fire was first detected by flight attendants at the top trunk on the back left side of the plane, the airline said. All passengers were evacuated safely.

Global aviation standards state powerbanks should not be placed in registered trunks as batteries can trigger severe fires if they experience short circuits due to damage or production errors.