How Large Of An Onboard Safety Concern Are Device Power Banks?

Air Busan Flight 391

The fire that destroyed Air Busan Flight 391, an Airbus A321, in January 2025 threw the potential hazards of onboard power banks into stark relief against varying air carrier requirements.

Credit: Newscom/Alamy
When an Air Busan Airbus A321 caught fire last year, it prompted airlines around the world to review the risks of using power bank chargers in the aircraft cabin. “Different airlines, different rules,” IATA told passengers as part of its “seven simple rules” battery safety campaign, launched in...
Chen Chuanren

Chen Chuanren is the Southeast Asia and China Editor for the Aviation Week Network’s (AWN) Air Transport World (ATW) and the Asia-Pacific Defense Correspondent for AWN, joining the team in 2017.

Alan Dron

Based in London, Alan is Europe & Middle East correspondent at Air Transport World.

Aaron Karp

Aaron Karp is a Contributing Editor to the Aviation Week Network.

Victoria Moores

Victoria Moores joined Air Transport World as our London-based European Editor/Bureau Chief on 18 June 2012. Victoria has nearly 20 years’ aviation industry experience, spanning airline ground operations, analytical, journalism and communications roles.

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