Ordered! South Korea to “restrict” power banks on planes starting March 1st, amid Busan Air fire.
*South Korea to restrict power banks on flights starting March 1 amid Busan Air fire
South Korea’s transportation ministry announced measures Thursday (Feb. 13) to tighten aviation safety regulations following a fire on a South Korean Air Busan plane last month. Including limiting the number and types of portable batteries allowed on flights.
The measures will come into effect on March 1 after an Air Busan Airbus caught fire on Jan. 28 at Gimhae International Airport in southern South Korea as it was preparing to depart for Hong Kong.
Passengers will be allowed to bring up to five 100-watt-hour portable batteries on board , Reuters reported, while batteries larger than 160 watt-hours will not be permitted.
The ministry said in a statement that the security checks would include checking the number and เล่น UFABET ผ่านมือถือ สะดวกทุกที่ ทุกเวลา type of batteries, and that charging portable batteries on planes would also be prohibited.
The ministry is also planning to ban passengers from carrying power banks and e-cigarettes in bags stored in overhead compartments. In line with a similar decision taken by Air Busan last week.
The ministry said the decision was aimed at addressing concerns over fires involving portable batteries. Although the cause of the fire on the Air Busan plane remains unclear.
The airline said flight attendants detected a fire in the overhead baggage compartment on the plane’s left side, but all passengers on board were safely evacuated.
However, global aviation standards state that batteries are prohibited in checked baggage because they can cause serious fires if a short circuit occurs due to damage or manufacturing defects.