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 government said Thursday. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced the new lithium-ion battery and e-cigarette safety standards for domestic airlines that will take effect March 1. This measure comes in response to a major fire incident aboard an Air Busan aircraft before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport in Busan last month.

According to Yonhap News Agency, 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. Officials stated that the changes are a preemptive measure to address public safety concerns regarding battery-related fire risks on planes. The cause of the blaze has not yet been determined, but some passengers and crew members have raised the possibility of the fire being started by a portable battery or other items stored in an overhead bin.

Additionally, passengers will be prohibited from charging power banks or electronic cigarettes using USB ports installed on airplane seats. 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. The ministry said it plans to recommend that the enhanced regulations be applied to foreign airlines as well in the future.