Korean Air and four Hanjin Group airlines including Asiana Airlines, Jin Air, Air Busan, and Air Seoul are the latest in the aviation industry to ban inflight use of power banks. Taking effect 26 January 2026, passengers will no longer be able to use power banks to charge electronic devices, tablets, laptops or cameras on board any flights operated by the five airlines.
Passengers can still carry power banks into the cabin subject to the existing capacity and quantity regulations. Cover metal charging ports with electrical tap or place in a separate plastic bag or pouch to prevent short circuits. Power banks must be within personal reach in the seatback pocket, or under the seat in front. Power banks should not be stored in the overhead bins.
Before this, the airlines implemented preventive measures in line with Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport policies. They provided insulation tape for short-circuit prevention at check-in counters and boarding gates, equipped aircraft with fire-containment bags and attached temperature-sensitive stickers to overhead bins for quicker overheating detection.
The cabin crew has been trained with specialised drills for power bank fire scenarios in addition to standard fire response training.