Korean Air, Hanjin Group ban in-flight power bank use

Korean Air and four Hanjin Group airlines — Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan and Air Seoul — will ban the in-flight use of power banks from January 26 as part of enhanced safety measures. Under the new policy, passengers will no longer be permitted to use power banks to charge electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptops or cameras on board any flight operated by the five airlines. Power banks may still be carried into the cabin in accordance with existing regulations on capacity and quantity, but their use and charging are strictly prohibited. To prevent short circuits, passengers must cover metal charging ports with electrical tape or place each battery in a separate plastic bag or pouch. All power banks must be kept within personal reach — on the passenger, in the seatback pocket, or under the seat in front — and must not be stored in the overhead bins. Korean Air and other Hanjin Group airlines will inform customers of the updated regulations through their official websites, mobile apps, airport check-in counters, and notification messages. Announcements will also be made at boarding gates and on board aircraft. With in-flight fire accidents involving lithium-ion power banks occurring more frequently, the aviation industry has emphasised the need to strengthen cabin regulations to ensure flight safety. “The ban on the in-flight use of power banks is a necessary measure to ensure the highest standards of flight safety, and passenger cooperation is essential,” said a  Korean Air representative. “Korean Air remains fully committed to providing a safe, secure and comfortable travel experience for all customers.” Prior to this decision, Korean Air and the other Hanjin airlines had implemented preventive measures in line with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport policies. These include providing insulation tape for short-circuit prevention at check-in counters and boarding gates, equipping aircraft with fire-containment bags, and attaching temperature-sensitive stickers to overhead bins for quicker overheating detection. Cabin crew training has also been enhanced with specialised drills for power bank fire scenarios in addition to standard fire response training. For Editorial Inquiries Contact: Editor Matt Driskill at [email protected] For Advertising Inquiries Contact: Head of Sales Sally Passey at [email protected]