After In-Flight Fire, Airlines Prohibit External Batteries for Safety

Following a fire on board, airlines worldwide are tightening the reins on the use of external batteries during flights to ensure passenger safety. It was an alarming incident involving a South Korean Air Busan aircraft on 28 January at Gimhae International Airport that served as the catalyst for these new regulations. The plane, poised for a journey to Hong Kong, was severely damaged by the blaze, rendering it unusable.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the event has sparked immediate concern among aviation authorities.

Initial investigations led by South Korean officials suggested that the fire originated from an explosion of an external battery carried in the cabin.

In swift response, Air Busan has banned external batteries in hand luggage, a move that has prompted a domino effect across the airline industry.

Starting from 1 March 2025, Taiwan’s Eva Air will strictly prohibit the use and charging of external batteries and lithium batteries on board.

In an official statement, the airline stressed its commitment to flight safety:

“From 1 March 2025, in order to ensure flight safety, the use and charging of external batteries and lithium backup batteries will be prohibited throughout the duration of the flight.”

Eva Air also reminded travellers that lithium batteries are banned from hold luggage and must adhere to safety regulations when transported in the cabin.

Similarly, China Airlines will implement these restrictions on the same date.

Meanwhile, other carriers, including Starlux Airlines and Tigerair, have already placed bans on the use of external batteries during flights.

Australia and the UK also enforce strict regulations in this regard.

Some Australian airlines, notably Qantas, already require that lithium batteries be removed from checked baggage and carried solely in the cabin.

In contrast, British airlines still allow passengers to bring external batteries on board and use them in-flight.

For instance, Ryanair permits up to two lithium batteries per passenger, under the condition that they are safeguarded against short circuits.

A growing number of safety experts are voicing concerns regarding lithium batteries.

These items can pose a significant risk if damaged or poorly manufactured.

A short circuit can lead to a rapid temperature surge, igniting a fire that could engulf nearby clothing or objects in the cabin.

Recent years have seen a troubling uptick in incidents triggered by battery malfunctions. In 2023, a grounded aircraft in Taiwan had to cease taxiing due to an external battery explosion that filled the cabin with smoke.

Also in 2023, two passengers were injured during a Scoot Airlines flight from Singapore to Taipei following a lithium battery explosion.

In 2024, an on-board fire broke out in a storage compartment on an Asiana Airlines flight, underscoring the urgent need for stricter regulations.

Passengers must now exercise heightened caution. Lithium batteries should never be stowed in the hold; they are best kept on one’s person or in a handbag, avoiding confined spaces where they might be compressed or crushed.

An often-overlooked hazard involves mobile phones slipping between seats; if caught in the reclining mechanism, they could create pressure on the battery, potentially causing a fire or explosion.

With the frequency of such incidents increasing and more airlines adopting these new rules, it is conceivable that the ban on external batteries during flights may soon become a global standard.

Travellers will need to adapt, relying on airline-provided electrical outlets or seeking alternative solutions to maintain their electronic devices’ battery life.

Source: Le Mauricien