Airline issues world-first ban of common travel tech — after fire destroyed plane

Check your luggage!

An airline has issued the first-ever ban on charging power banks in overhead bins.

Air Busan will no longer allow portable chargers to be stored there after a fire that destroyed a passenger jet was suspected of being sparked by a lithium battery, Reuters reported.

Lithium batteries, a type of rechargeable battery often found in laptops and power banks, are prohibited from being placed in checked bags as they could spark flames, according to aviation safety regulations.

The South Korean budget airline will now inspect all carry-on baggage at boarding gates to guarantee power banks are not placed in overhead storage.

Passengers will now be instructed to keep travel chargers with them so any potential overheating, smoke or fire will be noticed in a more timely manner.

An investigation into the cause of the flames that engulfed the aircraft last week has begun, but officials have yet to announce a certain cause.

Air Busan will also increase crew fire training and fire containment equipment on board planes.

The recent fire occurred while the plane was preparing for departure to Hong Kong, and a flight attendant spotted the flames coming from the overhead storage area.

Everyone aboard was safely evacuated.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has raised concerns about lithium batteries as the organization noted a 388% surge in fires caused by the devices over the last decade.

Three incidents involving extreme heat, smoke or fire caused by lithium batteries have already been reported this year.

A new report from UL Standards has warned of the risk they can present to air travel.

“Devices containing these batteries should not be stored in checked luggage,” the report reminded travelers.

“Instead, keeping all lithium-ion battery-powered devices within arm’s reach can sharply reduce the risk of an incident occurring.”