Seven passengers were injured after an on-board fire caused by the gadget

Mother with kids and luggage looking at planes in airport
Other airlines could follow suit with their own bans(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Air Busan has become the first airline to ban portable chargers from being stored in overhead compartments following a serious incident. On 28 January, a fire broke out on an aircraft preparing for departure from South Korea’s Gimhae International Airport.

The fire led to the evacuation of 176 passengers and crew members onto the runway via inflatable slides, resulting in seven injuries. Although the precise cause of the fire remains unknown, it is widely believed that a portable battery was to blame. A flight attendant noticed the fire just before take-off and raised the alarm, leading to the evacuation of the plane.

As reported by Reuters, South Korea’s government now intends to extend this ban to other airlines within the country. This would require passengers carrying portable battery chargers or devices such as e-cigarettes to store them in a bag under their seat or in their pockets.

plane
Plane passengers, be aware(Image: Getty/Abstract Aerial Art)

These types of devices are already prohibited in checked luggage due to the risks of serious fire caused by a malfunction and the potential danger this would cause. The new regulations also restrict the number of these devices that a passenger can carry. Up to five devices with a capacity of up to 100-watt-hours (wh) are permitted, but no devices exceeding 160wh will be allowed on board.

Additionally, passengers will be prohibited from charging their portable batteries on the aircraft, and additional security checks will be implemented at South Korean airports to ensure all devices comply with the new safety standards. Other nations are also exploring methods to address the risks that battery-powered devices pose to passengers.

The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) has recorded 518 lithium battery air incidents on US airlines since 2006, resulting in smoke, fire, or extreme heat, with most of them caused by a battery pack or battery. E-cigarettes and other vape devices were the second largest cause of these incidents.

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There’s no sign that the USA will impose an outright ban. Yet safety groups have been urging for an evaluation of the safest way to transport these devices on board, as dependence on phones and laptops has seen a sharp rise in the number of these items being brought into plane cabins.

These changes also come at a time when many airlines, such as Ryanair, are looking to reduce their check-in desks and promote the use of mobile boarding passes. This means it’s more important than ever for travellers to keep their smartphones charged throughout their journey.

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