Seoul: The transport ministry announced a significant revision in air travel safety regulations, mandating the use of insulation tape instead of plastic bags for portable battery storage on airplanes. This updated measure is part of efforts to enhance in-flight safety for battery packs.
According to Lao News Agency, the new regulation, which will come into effect on Monday, follows the government's introduction of a portable battery pack safety management scheme in March. This initiative was spurred by a fire incident on an Air Busan aircraft in January. Previously, plastic bags were used to prevent fires from short circuits, but environmental concerns have led to the adoption of insulation tape.
Under the updated rule, airlines will provide insulation tape at various points, including check-in counters, security checkpoints, boarding gates, and inside the cabin. Additionally, airlines will be required to equip aircraft with fire containment bags and heat-sensitive stickers. These stickers will be placed on overhead bins to enable early detection of rising temperatures by cabin crew and passengers.
The ministry has also announced plans for intensive inspections throughout the next month to ensure compliance with the revised rule. Furthermore, it is collaborating with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to bolster global safety standards for portable batteries. This issue is set to be a topic of discussion at the upcoming ICAO general assembly in September.