In brief
A malfunctioning power bank is suspected of sparking a fire that severely damaged an Air Busan flight at Gimhae International Airport, according to South Korean authorities.
In a recent update, the South Korean Ministry of Transport revealed that a power bank found in the overhead compartment is believed to have caused the blaze that broke out on January 28. The fire injured three passengers but did not result in any fatalities. Preliminary findings suggest that a breakdown of insulation within the power bank's battery may have led to the fire, although no specific cause for the malfunction has yet been determined. Since 2016, concerns about lithium-ion batteries have prompted airlines worldwide to impose strict bans on carrying power banks in both checked luggage and cargo holds. Following the Air Busan incident, the airline tightened its regulations, prohibiting power banks from overhead compartments altogether. Other airlines, like China Airlines and Thai Airways, are also implementing similar restrictions, while Singapore Airlines plans to ban the use and charging of power banks on flights starting April 1. Additionally, the South Korean government announced new rules requiring passengers to carry portable batteries and chargers on their person rather than store them in overhead bins. The growing scrutiny on power bank safety highlights the ongoing concerns related to lithium-ion batteries in air travel.
