Some Asian airlines are cracking down on portable chargers — how it could affect your trip

In response to an airplane catching fire in South Korea earlier this year, several Asian airlines have issued new regulations for passengers who travel with portable batteries, including portable chargers.

As officials investigate the cause of an Air Busan plane that caught fire before it was scheduled to depart from Gimhae International Airport (PUS) in Busan, some Asian airlines are regulating portable batteries on board.

Several airlines, including all South Korean airlines and a number of carriers in Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore, have issued new regulations.

As of March 1, passengers flying on South Korean airlines like Korean Air and Asiana Airlines are not allowed to check lithium-ion auxiliary batteries, including those found in portable charging banks.

Additionally, passengers must cover these batteries with tape or store them in a plastic bag to “prevent them from coming into contact with metal,” per updated guidance issued by the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport on Feb. 13. Additionally, passengers must carry these batteries in their personal carry-on item underneath the seat in front of them or in the seat pocket in front of them in case of an “abnormal” response, per the government.

“Storage in the overhead compartment is prohibited,” the ministry said.

Also, as of March 1, EVA Airways, one of the two largest airlines in Taiwan, prohibited charging or using power banks and spare lithium batteries while inflight. However, they are permitted in carry-on baggage as long as they are “properly stored to prevent compression or damage,” the airline said Feb. 25.

This is also the case for those traveling on China Airlines departing from Incheon International Airport (ICN) in South Korea as of March 1.

“The ports of the power banks should be covered with insulating tape or protective covers or placed in transparent zip-lock bags or protective pouches, and carried on person or placed in the seat pocket in front,” the airline said in an updated travel advisory issued Feb. 27.

Thai Airways also enacted the same regulations beginning March 15, followed by Singapore Airlines‘ ban on using portable batteries inflight effective April 1.