On January 28, 2025, at approximately 10:15 PM KST, Air Busan Flight BX391 encountered a fire during pre-flight preparations at Gimhae International Airport, located near Busan, South Korea. The flight, which was scheduled to depart for Hong Kong, was preparing for takeoff when flames erupted from the rear of the Airbus A321-200, tail number HL7763. Fortunately, all 176 individuals on board, including 169 passengers, 6 crew members, and one onboard technician, managed to evacuate using emergency slides. While no major casualties were reported, three passengers sustained minor injuries, including bruises.
This incident marked the end of Air Busan's impressive 12-year streak without any accidents. Prior to the mishap, the airline had maintained this flawless safety record, with over 100,000 flights operated safely. According to Air Busan representatives, "We've never had any accidents or even near-accidents for 12 years until this incident occurred." The aircraft involved was 17 years old, having been built in 2007 and operated by Air Busan since 2017.
The fire broke out after passengers boarded and just before the aircraft was scheduled to take off, leading the crew to introduce emergency protocols. Eyewitness accounts describe hearing alarming noises from the luggage compartments before smoke emerged. One passenger stated, "What was alarming was the sound coming from the luggage compartment right before the smoke appeared." This has raised concerns about potential ignition sources, possibly from electronic devices or auxiliary batteries contained within baggage.
Emergency response teams were quick to react, with local fire brigades extinguishing the flames approximately one hour after the fire began. The South Korean Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport also deployed to assess the situation, stating, "Everyone successfully evacuated using emergency slides, and thankfully there were no major casualties." Despite the successful evacuation, three injured passengers were transported to the nearest hospital for treatment.
Following the incident, the airport temporarily closed three of its parking areas due to safety concerns but maintained overall operational stability, with the remaining 271 scheduled flights expected to proceed as planned. This incident has reignited discussions surrounding airport and airline safety protocols, particularly for low-cost carriers like Air Busan, which heavily rely on quick turnaround times.
Experts have emphasized the importance of rapid evacuation in the event of onboard fires. Kim Kwan-il, a professor of aviation operations, noted, "When fire occurs inside the aircraft, swift action is the key to preventing injury or fatalities. Passengers should follow crew instructions without delay." This incident has underscored the need for diligence from both passengers and crew members during emergency situations.
The gravitas of the fire at Gimhae International Airport has led to calls for increased scrutiny on airlines' safety measures. Following this incident, industry analysts are urging both the government and Air Busan to strengthen inspection protocols to prevent similar incidents. Park Chang-gun, professor at Korea Aerospace University, suggested, "These tragic events should serve as catalysts for stricter regulations and preparedness checks throughout the aviation sector, particularly for newer low-cost carriers. Safety and reliability must always take primacy over profit margins."
The incident is not entirely unprecedented; aviation safety incidents have sparked concerns and led to changes within the industry before. For example, the Ethiopian Airlines cargo plane fire at Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport back in 2020 raised similar alarms, prompting investigations and revisions to operational protocols. Experts anticipate this recent event will also help catalyze improvements to aircraft safety regulations.
While investigations continue to determine the exact cause of the fire, Air Busan plans to undertake thorough examinations of its aircraft and refine its safety practices. The outcome of these actions may go on to influence policies surrounding operational safety for low-cost carriers not just within South Korea but across the global aviation industry. The airline has committed to ensuring such incidents are handled with the utmost seriousness and is likely to implement changes to account for passenger safety.
With Air Busan's incident drawing media scrutiny and public concern, the safety of low-cost airlines will likely remain under the microscope moving forward. This fire may prompt conversations about how these airlines maintain safety against the backdrop of budget constraints and competitiveness.