A joint investigation team conducts a stability inspection of a fire-damaged Air Busan passenger plane at Gimhae International Airport in the southeastern city of Busan on Jan. 31, 2025, prior to a probe into the cause of the fire that occurred on Jan. 28. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 27 (Korea Bizwire) — The transport ministry said Wednesday it will ban the use of plastic bags for portable battery storage on airplanes and instead require insulation tape as part of an updated in-flight safety measure for battery packs.
The revision, set to take effect on Monday, comes after the government introduced a safety management scheme for portable battery packs in March, following an Air Busan aircraft fire incident in January.
Plastic bags have been provided to prevent fires from short circuits, but environmental concerns prompted the government to update the measure.
Under the new rule, airlines will provide insulation tape for portable batteries at check-in counters, security checkpoints, boarding gates and inside the cabin.
In addition, airlines will be required to carry fire containment bags and heat-sensitive stickers on aircraft. Heat-sensitive stickers will be attached to overhead bins so that cabin crew and passengers can detect rising temperatures early.
The ministry plans to carry out intensive inspections throughout next month to ensure airlines comply with the revised rule.
It is also currently working with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to strengthen global safety standards for portable batteries, with the issue to be discussed at an upcoming ICAO general assembly gathering in September, the ministry said.
(Yonhap)
