On September 24, Eastar Jet announced that from October 1 until the end of the year, all passengers on both domestic and international flights will be prohibited from using portable chargers to charge personal devices in the cabin. This is a proactive measure to strengthen in-flight safety management and will be implemented as a three-month pilot program.
While passengers are allowed to carry portable chargers on board and keep them on their person or in the seat pocket, using them for charging at any time during takeoff, landing, or cruising is strictly prohibited.
On the 1st, a notice explaining the in-flight carry-on procedures for portable chargers was posted in front of the check-in counters at Gimpo International Airport. Photo by Yonhap News
Eastar Jet stated that this policy will be repeatedly communicated at airport check-in counters, boarding gates, and inside the cabin to minimize passenger confusion. Detailed information, including the carry-on requirements and conditions for portable chargers, can be found on the Eastar Jet website.
An Eastar Jet official said, "Globally, the number of lithium-ion battery fire incidents continues to rise, and many overseas airlines have already banned the use of batteries in the cabin. Most in-flight battery fire accidents occur during use, such as charging, so we have introduced our own regulations to ensure safe operations."
Previously, on September 14, there was an incident in which smoke was emitted from a portable charger that a passenger was holding on an Eastar Jet flight. The cause of a fire on an Air Busan aircraft in January was also identified as a personal portable charger.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
