South Korea on Thursday announced enhanced aviation safety measures following a fire on an Air Busan plane last month.
Under the new safety measures, engers will be allowed to carry up to five portable 100-watt-hour batteries, while batteries with more than 160 watt-hours will not be allowed on board.
Security checks will include checking the number and types of batteries, and carrying portable batteries on planes will be banned, the Transport Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said it would ban engers from keeping portable chargers and e-cigarettes in their luggage stored in overhead bins.
The decision was made in an effort to address concerns about possible fires in portable batteries, the ministry said, although the cause of the fire on the Air Busan aircraft has not yet been determined.
Power Banks Banned on Air Busan Flights
Last week, South Korean airline Air Busan introduced a policy banning power banks from carry-on luggage following a recent fire on board one of its aircraft. The move is aimed at increasing enger safety.
Air Busan now requires travelers to keep portable chargers with them throughout the flight or store them in their luggage under their seat.
Several airlines already restrict engers from carrying power banks in checked baggage due to the risk of lithium-ion batteries overheating and starting fires in the cargo hold.
The fire in the Air Busan's Airbus A321 on January 28, was first spotted by a flight attendant in an overhead bin on the rear left side of the plane, the airline said. Everyone on board was safely evacuated.
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