Airlines tighten rules on power banks after in-flight fire risks; here are the latest regulations

Thermal runaway occurs when batteries experience harm or receive substandard management. This leads to dangerous levels of heat, combined with smoke and potential for fires. The aviation industry faces serious safety concerns because of this risk, which led to airline policies undergoing modifications.

Battery-related incident raise serious safety concerns

The incidence of thermal runaway events has increased throughout various Asian airline operations. An Airbus A321 experienced a critical thermal runaway incident which occurred at Busan’s Gimhae International Airport on January 28, 2025. The aircraft experienced a dangerous fire, which broke out when the plane was on the departure runway. The extent of damage made maintenance workers label the aircraft as unrepairable. Authorities believe that the suspected origin of the fire, which remains unknown, started in the overhead bins of the airplane through either a portable power bank or another undisclosed cause.

Different Asian airlines have introduced flight restrictions against power bank utilisation during air travel following this specific incident. The federal restrictions let passengers take power banks aboard the aircraft in hand baggage, yet middle-flight use or charging has been banned. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of South Korea has declared that power banks together with e-cigarettes are prohibited from overhead compartments on all South Korean-operated flights from March 1, 2025.

Also Read :USAA settles $3.25 million lawsuit