On 29 December 2024, Jeju Air Flight 2216 caught fire at Muan International Airport, South Korea. 179 of the 181 people on board were killed, making it one of the deadliest aviation accidents of the decade. Investigators found a lithium battery in the cargo hold — where power banks are always banned — as the likely ignition source. The disaster triggered one of the fastest regulatory responses in recent aviation history.
What Happened: The Air Busan Fire
The aircraft was a Boeing 737-800 operated by Jeju Air (sometimes referred to in early reports as "Air Busan" due to initial confusion). The fire began in or near the cargo compartment during the landing sequence. Emergency services were on scene within minutes but the fire spread rapidly through the fuselage. Most casualties resulted from the fire rather than the impact itself.
South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) opened an investigation immediately. Preliminary findings pointed to a lithium battery in checked luggage — an item that has been prohibited in checked baggage under IATA rules for years. The incident exposed enforcement gaps and prompted MOLIT to act on carry-on power banks as well, even though that risk category is considered lower.
Korea JoongAng Daily — MOLIT announcement coverage
The New Rules (Effective March 2025)
South Korea's MOLIT issued regulations affecting all Korean Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders, effective March 2025:
- No power banks in overhead bins. Power banks must be kept under the seat in front of the passenger, in a personal item bag. They must remain visible and accessible to cabin crew at all times.
- No unattended power banks. If a passenger leaves their seat, the power bank should remain with their personal item under the seat — not left on the seat or in the overhead locker.
- No damaged, swollen, or visibly defective power banks. Crew are instructed to inspect power banks that appear swollen, unusually warm, or physically damaged. Such devices will be confiscated.
- No power banks in checked baggage. This was already prohibited under IATA rules, but South Korea has specifically reinforced enforcement following the incident.
Which Airlines Are Covered?
These rules apply to all carriers holding a Korean AOC, including:
- Korean Air
- Asiana Airlines
- Jeju Air
- Jin Air
- Air Seoul
- T'way Air
- Eastar Jet
- Air Busan (despite sharing a name in early reports, this is a separate carrier based in Busan)
The rules also apply on international routes operated by these carriers, not just domestic South Korean flights.
How These Rules Compare to Other Countries
South Korea's response has been among the most specific in the world. Most countries follow IATA's baseline rules without additional storage requirements. By contrast:
- The US (FAA/TSA) requires power banks in carry-on but does not specify where in the cabin they must be stored.
- The EU (EASA) similarly defers to IATA carry-on requirements without overhead bin restrictions.
- China has introduced a certification requirement (CCC mark) but not a storage restriction.
- Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific have banned in-flight use but have not imposed the overhead bin prohibition.
South Korea's requirement that power banks remain visible is considered by aviation safety experts to be one of the most operationally meaningful changes — it ensures that if a battery begins to malfunction, crew can detect it immediately.
Practical Tips for Flying Korean Airlines
- Pack your power bank in your personal item (smaller bag that goes under the seat), not in your main carry-on that goes overhead.
- Keep it visible — do not bury it at the bottom of your bag. A side pocket is ideal.
- Do not put it in the seat pocket. Cabin crew will ask you to move it.
- Standard size limits still apply: under 100 Wh no approval needed, 100–160 Wh requires prior approval, over 160 Wh is banned.
- Never pack a power bank in checked luggage, regardless of which airline or country you are in.
Sources: Korea JoongAng Daily · Reuters · IATA Lithium Battery Guidance