Seoul: Passengers traveling on South Korean airlines will be banned from storing portable battery banks and e-cigarettes in overhead storage compartments starting next month, the South Korean government said Thursday.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the new lithium-ion battery and e-cigarette safety standards for domestic airlines. These standards will take effect March 1 and were introduced in response to a major fire incident aboard an Air Busan aircraft before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in Busan last month.
During flights, battery banks and e-cigarettes must be placed in clear plastic bags or protective pouches, or have exposed terminals covered, and should be stored in seat pockets or coat pockets, the ministry said. Officials stated that the changes are a preemptive measure to address public safety concerns regarding battery-related fire risks on planes.
Additionally, passengers will be prohibited from charging power banks or electronic cigarettes using USB ports installed on airplane seats. However, electronic devices with built-in batteries, such as mobile phones and laptops, will not be subject to the new rules as they have built-in short-circuit prevention mechanisms.