Passengers required to carry power banks, e-cigarettes on person starting tomorrow

Starting Saturday, passengers boarding flights in South Korea will be required to carry portable batteries and chargers as well as e-cigarettes on their person rather than storing them in overhead bins, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced Friday.

The new aviation safety regulations come in response to a fire incident aboard an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport on Jan. 28, which was reportedly caused by a power bank.

Under the new regulations, power banks and e-cigarettes will still be allowed in carry-on luggage but strictly prohibited in checked baggage. Additionally, strict capacity limits for power banks will be enforced.

A passenger can carry a maximum of five power banks with capacities of up to 100 watt-hours each. Batteries that are 100Wh to 160Wh will be limited to two per passenger, only with airline approval. Batteries above 160Wh will be completely banned from being carried onto aircraft.

For power banks exceeding the standard limit, passengers must go through an approval process at airline check-in counters. Those using self check-in kiosks will be informed about the regulations at five different stages, including during ticket reservation, 24 hours before departure, check-in, at the boarding gate and once inside the aircraft.

Airlines will also attach special stickers to approved power banks to facilitate quick security screening.