(C) Curly Tales

SEOUL – Jeju Air, South Korea’s leading low-cost carrier, announced on Wednesday that it will strictly prohibit the use of portable power banks on all flights starting January 22, 2026. This "hardline" measure comes in response to a rising number of lithium-ion battery fire incidents reported globally.

Under the new policy, passengers on both domestic and international routes will be barred from using power banks to charge electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, while inside the cabin.

While current Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) guidelines already prohibit the charging of power banks themselves during flights, Jeju Air is taking a step further by banning the usage of these batteries to charge other devices. The airline stated this move is essential to minimize the risk of thermal runaway and potential onboard fires.

To ensure a smooth transition and minimize passenger inconvenience, Jeju Air plans to disseminate this information through multiple channels:

• Official website notices and KakaoTalk alerts.
• Instructions during the self-kiosk check-in process.
• On-site guidance at airport check-in counters.

Jeju Air has been consistently ramping up its fire safety protocols. Since February last year, the airline has equipped its fleet with specialized fire-extinguishing pouches. Other measures include the mandatory "short-circuit prevention" storage of batteries, the installation of temperature-sensitive stickers on overhead bins, and a ban on cordless hair straighteners.

"We decided to ban the in-flight use of power banks as a preemptive measure to eliminate fire hazards following several battery-related incidents," a Jeju Air official said. "We kindly ask our passengers to fully charge their mobile devices before boarding for a safer and more comfortable journey."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]