Air Busan Has Issued a World-First Ban on Power Banks: Your Simple Guide to Safe Travel
Air Busan has issued a world-first ban on power banks. This rule stops you from putting them in bags up top. It came after a bad fire on a plane. Now, keep your charger with you. Or put it under your seat. This helps spot trouble fast. If you fly Air Busan, know these changes. They keep all safe.
Power banks help charge phones. They work for tablets too. But they can get hot. Fires1 start easily. Air Busan leads the way. We use real facts from the news. We share simple steps. You will learn the story. You get tips2 for trips.
The Plane Fire Story
Think of January 28, 2025. An Air Busan plane waits at Gimhae Airport. It is in Busan, South Korea. The plane is big. An Airbus A321. It holds 176 people. They head to Hong Kong.
Smoke shows up quickly. From a bag up top. Fire grows fast. The back burns. The crew yells to get out. Slides open. All slid down safely. Seven get small hurts. Like cuts or coughs. No one dies. But the plane is wrecked.
They look close. Find a power bank. It melted badly. The battery went wrong. It is called “thermal runaway.” Heat builds. Gas comes. Fire spreads.
South Korea checks3 it. France helps too. By March 14, 2025, they say yes. Power bank did it. Insulation broke. Sparks flew.
This fire came after sad news. December 29, 2024. Jeju Air crash. 179 die. From the landing gear failing. But the Air Busan fire points to gadgets.
Pics show trucks spraying water. Smoke big. People run. Videos go viral. Folks worry more.
Why the Ban Happened
Air Busan has issued a world-first ban on power banks. No more in overhead spots. Starts February 7, 2025. First on some paths. Then all flights.
You hold it close. In a pocket or lap. Or bag by feet. They check at the gate. Bags get tags if no charger. This way, heat shows fast. You tell the crew.
Air Busan adds training. The crew learns to fight better. Planes get more tools. To stop flames quickly.
Most rules say no in checked bags. Holds are dark. Hard to see the fire. But the cabin was ok. Now, not for overheads.
By March 1, 2025, South Korea will make it for all airlines. No power banks or e-cigs up top. No charge on the plane. Over 160Wh is fully banned.
These are Air Busan’s battery safety rules. It calms fears. Travelers plan now.
Battery Dangers on Planes
Power banks use lithium. Small but strong. They hold charge well. But break easily.
Hit a bump. Get old. Charge wrong. The heat starts. It chains. Fire burns hot. Hard to stop.
US FAA counts them. In 2025, 46 fires by August. One or two each week. Up 388% in ten years.
From 2006, 632 events. One third from power banks. Phones and vapes, too.
In 2024, 89 cases. 2025 is on track for more. 38 by June 30.
One case: July 2025, Delta lands early. Battery fire in a bag.
Another: August 26, American Airlines. The device burns after takeoff.
October 18, Air China. Battery pops in carry-on. Lands safe.
Asia sees it too. Hong Kong Airlines, March 2025. Mid-air fire. Turns back.
Lithium-ion battery risks grow. More gadgets mean more chances.
World group ICAO bans in hold since 2016. The cabin needs to be watched.
Air Busan: Who They Are
Air Busan started in 2007. The name was Busan International Airlines. Change to Air Busan in 2008.
First flight October 2008. From Busan to Seoul. Gimhae Airport home.
Part of Asiana Airlines. Low cost. Cheap tickets. Short trips.
In 2025, the fleet will have 24 planes. Six A320-200. Ten A321-200. Four A321neo. Four A321LR.
They fly in Asia. Japan, China, Thailand. Millions ride each year.
Focus on safe and fun. After fire, they lead change. Air Busan’s flight safety announcement shows care.
Other Airlines Follow
Air Busan’s move spreads. South Korea will require all airlines by March 1, 2025. No overhead for batteries.
Thai Airways: No use or charge from March 15. But overhead is ok.
Singapore Airlines: Ban charge from April 1. Scoot too.
EVA Air and China Airlines in Taiwan: No use on board. March 1.
Air Asia: Under seats only.
Hong Kong: No overhead from April 7.
China: CCC mark needed. From June 28.
Vietnam Airlines and VietJet: No use on board.
Emirates: Strict from October 1, 2025.
Korean Air and Asiana think the same. They add talks on flights.
This is the airline safety regulations wave. From the Air Busan safety regulation update.
See the plane turns here: United Airlines flight diversion.
Steps to Carry Power Banks Safely
Bring one? Do it right. Here easy list:
- Check size. Under 100Wh. About 27,000mAh. Over 160Wh, no go.
- Carry-on only. Not checked. Fires hard down there.
- Cover ends. Tape or case. No sparks.
- Look good. No dents. No swell. Toss bad ones.
- Keep near. On you or under the seat. No top.
- No charge in the air. Many ban it.
- Get a safe brand. UL or CCC mark.
These cut the in-flight fire prevention chance.
Tech helps trips. See how technology affects wellness.
Top Power Banks for 2025 Trips
Safe picks from reviews. All under limits.
- Anker 737 PowerCore 24K: 24,000mAh. Fast. Three ports. $150. Good for phones and tablets.
- EcoFlow RAPID Pro: 20,000mAh. 230W out. Built cable. Quick fill. $130. For long days.
- INIU Slim: 10,000mAh. Thin. Cheap at $20. Pocket fit. TSA easy.
- Anker MagGo 10K: 10.000 mAh. Sticks to the phone. MagSafe. $50. No cords.
- UGREEN 145W: 25,000mAh. Big charge. Laptop ok. $150. But heavy.
- BioLite Charge 80 PD: 20,000mAh. 74Wh. Rugged. $100. Outdoor fun.
Pick UL tested. No fakes. Fit Air Busan electronic device policy.
Gadgets trend: low market cap coin.
How This Hits Travelers
Pack new way. Tech fans shift. No toss in the bin.
Asia flights? More looks at the gate. Learn dangerous goods on flights.
But the good side. Safer skies. Less scared.
Families check kids’ bags. Business folks pick small ones.
Travel tech restrictions grow. But the rules are clear.
Industry pushes. More training. Better tools.
FAQs
Is it safe to travel with power banks on airplanes?
Yes. Pack smart. Watch closely.
How to pack power banks for Air Busan flights?
Carry-on. Protected. Near you.
Air Busan overhead bin restrictions for lithium batteries?
No store up top. Under the seat, ok.
Air Busan’s safety policy after the power bank fire?
Checks at the gate. More training.
Conclusion
Air Busan has issued a world-first ban on power banks to fight fire risks. From that bad day in January. Now the rules spread wide. Know lithium-ion battery risks. Use our steps. Pick good banks. Fly happy.
Got a fave charger tip? Share below!
References
- Daily Mail on Air Busan Ban – Fire details and first rule. For all flyers who want news. ↩︎
- The Sun on Gadget Fire – Tips and risks. For budget f ↩︎
- NY Post on Tech Ban – Checks and why. For gadget lovers on trips. ↩︎