Korean Air (003490.KS), Asiana Airlines (020560.KS), Jin Air (272450.KS), Air Busan (298690.KS), and Air Seoul — the five airlines under Hanjin Group — announced Monday that they will ban the use of portable power banks on all flights starting January 26.
The ban applies to both domestic and international routes. Passengers will no longer be permitted to charge mobile phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, or other electronic devices using power banks during flights. Passengers may only carry power banks on board without using them and must comply with existing regulations on capacity limits and the number of units allowed.
Before boarding, passengers are required to take measures to prevent short circuits, such as applying insulation tape to power bank terminals or storing each unit separately in plastic bags or individual pouches.
Once on board, passengers must keep power banks within arm's reach or store them in seat-back pockets or under the seat in front of them. Storing power banks in overhead bins is prohibited, as delayed initial response to any abnormality could lead to a serious accident.
The policy change follows a series of in-flight fire incidents caused by lithium-ion batteries in power banks. Both domestic and international aviation industries have strongly called for stricter regulations on carrying power banks aboard aircraft to ensure flight safety.
The five airlines plan to inform passengers of the new regulations through official websites, mobile apps, airport check-in counter notices, and messaging services. They will also make continuous announcements at boarding gates and during flights to minimize confusion.
"This complete ban on in-flight power bank use is an unavoidable measure for safe aircraft operations, and we urgently need passengers' cooperation," a Korean Air official said. "All Hanjin Group airlines will do our best to ensure safe and comfortable travel for our customers."
