Air Busan to disallow power banks in overhead bins after plane fire (updated)

Air Busan

04/02/2025 07:49

(Adds detail on procedure, fire context)
       SEOUL, Feb 4 (Reuters) - South Korea's Air Busan
 298690.KS  will not allow passengers to keep power banks in
luggage stored in overhead cabin bins, in what on Tuesday it
called a preemptive measure after one of its planes was engulfed
in flames last week. 
    An investigation led by South Korean authorities into the
fire has begun, but no cause has yet been determined. Air
accidents are nearly always caused by a combination of factors,
according to experts.     
        Passenger carry-on bags inspected at boarding gates and
found not to contain power banks will be tagged and then allowed
in overhead luggage bins, in measures set to begin on Friday on
trial routes, before expanding to all flights. 
  
        Any power banks should be kept with passengers so any
overheating, smoke or fire can quickly be spotted and dealt
with.
  
        Air Busan said the changes, 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. 
  
        The fire, which began on Jan. 28 while preparing for
departure to Hong Kong, was first detected by a flight attendant
in an overhead luggage bin in the rear left-hand side of the
plane, Air Busan has said. All on board were evacuated safely.
  
        Lithium batteries are a type of rechargeable battery
found in devices such as laptops, mobile phones, tablets, spare
power banks and electronic cigarettes.
  
        Global aviation standards say they must not be placed in
checked-in luggage because they can start intense fires if they
short circuit due to damage or manufacturing faults. 
  
        Cabin crew have fire extinguishers and thermal
containment boxes or bags to isolate problematic devices on
board. 
  

 (Writing by Lisa Barrington; Editing by Muralikumar
Anantharaman, Ed Davies)
 ((lisa.barrington@thomsonreuters.com;))