South Korean carrier Air Busan is banning passengers from storing power banks in luggage stored in overhead compartments, in a pre-emptive measure after one of the airline’s planes set on fire on January 28, 2025.
The Air Busan flight was preparing to depart Busan's Gimhae International Airport for Hong Kong, when the fire broke out. All on-board survived the incident.
Early indications, reported by local media, show that the fire is suspected to have been caused by a battery in a carry-on bag stowed in an overhead compartment.
Air Busan said the changes to its carry-on baggage policy, which will also include additional crew fire training and fire containment equipment on board, were in response to an increase in the number of power banks overheating.
Lithium-ion batteries, which are often found in devices such as power banks, mobile phones and laptops, are considered hazardous due to their potential to catch fire if damaged or short-circuited. Airlines and safety regulations limit the size and number of these batteries that can be carried in both checked and carry-on luggage.