According to Reuters, recent developments have highlighted the alarming fact that flights around the world are facing increasing risks due to the presence of lithium batteries in personal electronic devices such as mobile phones and e-cigarettes. These batteries, although bringing many conveniences to modern life, have the potential to malfunction, leading to overheating, smoking or even explosion, causing unpredictable consequences.
Lithium batteries, with their superior energy storage capacity and long life, have become an indispensable component in many electronic devices that we use every day, from laptops, mobile phones, tablets, smart watches, power banks to electronic cigarettes. The popularity of lithium batteries, however, also means that the risk of incidents involving this type of battery on flights is increasing.
The aviation industry has long recognized that the growing use of lithium batteries is a safety concern.
According to statistics from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in the past year, an average of three incidents of lithium batteries overheating on aircraft were recorded globally every two weeks. This number represents a significant increase from 2018, when there was less than one similar incident per week. This increase is a strong warning of the need for more stringent safety measures to minimize the risks associated with lithium batteries on flights.
Since March 1, new regulations regarding the carrying of lithium batteries on planes have been officially applied, bringing significant changes to passengers on flights of Korean airlines. According to this new regulation, passengers are required to carry spare chargers and electronic cigarettes with them throughout the journey, instead of leaving them in the aircraft's luggage compartment as before. This is a measure to enhance aviation safety, minimizing the risk of fire and explosion caused by lithium batteries.
The new regulations go beyond just carrying lithium batteries, and include a ban on charging electronic devices on board. This means passengers will not be allowed to charge their phones, tablets, or any other devices that use lithium batteries during the flight. This is a measure to prevent the risk of overheating and fire due to improper charging on board.
South Korea tightens regulations on carrying lithium batteries on planes from March 1, amid public concerns about fires and explosions
In addition, passengers will also have to comply with a number of other restrictions related to the carriage of lithium batteries on board the aircraft. These restrictions may include limits on the number and capacity of batteries allowed to be carried, as well as regulations on how to package and store batteries. These regulations are in place to ensure maximum safety for passengers and crew during the flight.
Passengers will be allowed to carry up to five 100 watt-hour portable battery packs. Batteries larger than 160 watt hours will not be allowed on board. Batteries will also have to be stored in a transparent plastic bag, according to the South Korean Ministry of Transport.
Many passengers at Incheon International Airport - the largest airport in South Korea - expressed their agreement with the new regulation. "I feel safer because there are clear instructions to protect us. I was also advised to carry the battery with me instead of putting it in my luggage, which makes me feel more secure because I can detect it immediately if there is a problem," said Kim Jae-woung, 37.
During the security check before boarding the plane, any passenger found carrying a power bank with a capacity larger than the specified capacity, or carrying additional batteries without the airline's label, will have them destroyed on the spot.
The South Korean government introduced the stricter regulations after an Air Busan plane caught fire in January 2024. While the cause of the fire is still under investigation, preliminary results indicate the fire broke out in an overhead compartment. The fire broke out about 20 minutes after the scheduled takeoff time, but fortunately all 170 passengers and 6 crew members were safely evacuated.
According to aviation experts, if the battery is faulty or damaged, such as if the phone is stuck between an airplane seat or exposed to high temperatures, it can short-circuit, leading to overheating, smoke, or even explosion. In some cases, the explosion can cause "a release of extremely powerful energy, sending fragments of the device flying like a shell," the International Aviation Safety Agency warns.
Faced with this risk, since 2016, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has issued a ban on transporting lithium batteries in the cargo hold of passenger aircraft. This regulation was issued after two serious accidents: a fierce fire on a UPS cargo plane in Dubai in 2010 and an Asiana Airlines plane crash in South Korea in 2011, both involving lithium batteries in the cargo hold.
According to current aviation standards, spare batteries and personal electronic devices should be carried in the passenger cabin instead of in checked baggage, to ensure immediate handling in case of an incident.
However, a December 2024 report by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) found that many passengers still carry substandard lithium batteries in their checked baggage. The report also highlighted the need for improved baggage screening systems at airports. The aviation industry is now looking at new detection methods, including the use of sniffer dogs to detect unsafe lithium batteries.
