Fri Mar 14 09:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Asian Airlines Tighten Portable Battery Restrictions Following Recent Aviation Incidents
**SEOUL/TAIPEI** – Several Asian airlines have implemented stricter regulations on carrying portable batteries onboard flights, citing safety concerns following a series of aviation incidents, including a fire that destroyed an Air Busan plane in January. While investigators have yet to definitively link portable batteries to the Air Busan fire, the incident has prompted increased anxiety and a tightening of regulations across South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore.
The new rules vary by airline but generally involve restrictions on the use and storage of power banks and portable chargers. South Korean airlines now mandate that passengers keep portable chargers within arm’s reach and prohibit storing them in overhead bins. Similar restrictions have been implemented by some Taiwanese carriers, with EVA Air and China Airlines going further by banning the use and charging of power banks onboard, though they can still be stored in overhead compartments.
Travelers are advised to check their specific airline’s policy before departure, as the rules are inconsistent and may require repacking or powering down portable batteries before boarding. The changes reflect a growing cautious approach to portable battery safety in the aviation industry following recent events.
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