Air Busan Stuns the Aviation World with World’s First Ban on Power Banks

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the global travel and airline industries, Air Busan has become the first carrier in the world to enforce a complete ban on power banks aboard flights, marking a bold step toward enhanced safety and operational consistency. Since early 2024, the Korean low-cost airline announced an unexpected policy restricting passenger use of lithium-ion charging devices during critical phases of flight, citing technical, safety, and regulatory concerns. This unprecedented decision positions Air Busan not just as a profitable airline but as a safety pioneer setting a new standard for the industry.

The ban applies to all devices capable of delivering power over 20W, including standard power banks, charging cables, and portable chargers. While personal electronics like smartphones and tablets remain permitted under strict usage guidelines, Any Battery-powered devices must now be powered off or stowed securely during takeoff, climb, and all phases where battery malfunctions pose a heightened risk. According to the airline, the move follows multiple near-miss incidents and growing evidence linking loose devices to electrical interference, fire hazards, and cascading system failures in modern aircraft.

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From a technical standpoint, aircraft electromagnetic environments are uniquely sensitive. Even small uncontrolled electrical emissions from unregulated power banks can disrupt critical avionics systems, especially during engine start-up and turbine acceleration—moments when aircraft systems operate under extreme stress. “Battery-powered devices introduce a variable we cannot reliably isolate,” explained Captain Ji Soo-hee, Air Busan’s Head of Safety Operations.

“Our goal is to eliminate any behavioral risk that could compromise crew decision-making or automation integrity.”

The airline took its decisiveness a step further by removing power bank charging stations entirely from terminals, pushing passengers to use pre-security outlets restricted to crew and authorized staff only. In parallel, staff training has been revamped to reinforce strict passenger proctoring during boarding and in-flight monitoring. Air Busan’s approach reflects growing global scrutiny over personal device safety—now echoed by emerging regulations in parts of Europe and the Middle East—but remains the only airline to enact a full, carrier-wide prohibition at scale.

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To clarify scope, the ban does not extend to lithium-ion batteries integrated within devices. If a battery-powered charger complies with strict 20W caps and undergoes rigorous safety checks, it may be carried but never activated mid-flight. For power banks above 5W, travel-size units must be powered off and stowed in overhead bins or under seats—no in-flight use allowed.

Air Busan’s security team emphasized, “Safety must be deterministic, not discretionary.”

Passengers previously accustomed to charging at charging stations now face new alternatives: in-duty airlines now offer designated work zones with grounded electrical access, and many partners have installed lobby power stations. Yet compliance rates remain high, suggesting that traveler behavior adapts—and the airline’s clear communication likely fuels voluntary adherence. The move resonates with a broader trend of enhanced cabin safety protocols.

Airlines worldwide are reevaluating in-flight tech use in light of rising mobile device dependency and evolving cyber-physical risks. Air Busan’s ban exemplifies a shift from reactive to proactive safety culture—a philosophy that prioritizes system resilience over convenience.

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Industry experts have lauded the decision.

Dr. Elena Park, senior aviation safety advisor at the International Air Transport Association (IATA), noted: “Air Busan’s leadership challenges the status quo. While many caution against overreach, this bold measure demonstrates that passenger empowerment