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On 28 January 2025, an Air Busan aircraft caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea. The blaze caused severe damage to the upper part of the fuselage. Seven people sustained minor injuries, but all 169 passengers and crew members were safely evacuated.
On 14 March, investigators concluded that the fire was caused by a short circuit in a power bank carried in a piece of hand luggage. According to authorities, the incident was triggered by a failure in the battery’s internal insulation.
In response, South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) has introduced stricter regulations relating to power banks. Their transport in cargo compartments is now prohibited, as is charging them via in-seat USB ports. The number of batteries permitted per passenger has also been limited to five.
A similar incident involving an external battery occurred on board a China Southern Airlines Airbus A320 in March 2025. Shortly after takeoff on a flight from Hangzhou to Shenzhen, the aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing due to a fire caused by a power bank, highlighting the ongoing safety risks linked to such devices.
