On January 28, 2025, at Gimhae International Airport in Busan, South Korea, Air Busan experienced a serious incident as one of its Airbus A321 aircraft caught fire shortly before takeoff. A total of 176 individuals on board, including 169 passengers and seven crew members, were evacuated successfully without any fatalities.
The incident occurred around 22:15 local time as the flight was preparing for departure to Hong Kong. Reports indicate the fire started at the rear of the aircraft, prompting swift action from flight crews, who deployed emergency slides for evacuation. By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, they worked diligently to extinguish the fire, which was fully under control by 23:31.
According to fire authorities, seven individuals sustained minor injuries during the chaotic evacuation process. Four of the injured were crew members who experienced respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation, and the remaining three were passengers who reported discomfort.
An eyewitness, reflecting on the harrowing experience, relayed to the press: “There was a crackling sound from the overhead compartment at the back of the plane, then smoke started to rise.” Another passenger recalled, “Smoke thickened and flames emerged from the compartment as a flight attendant brought over a fire extinguisher.” These accounts paint a vivid picture of the panic and urgency of the moment.
Despite this alarming incident, Gimhae International Airport was back to normal operations the following day, with scheduled flights largely uninterrupted, except for the cancellation of eight flights operated by Air Busan. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport announced the formation of a team to investigate the cause of the incident, which remains unknown at this time.
The Airbus A321 involved was approximately 17 years old and had not reported any incident of this nature for over several years, igniting questions about safety protocols within low-cost carriers (LCC). Notably, this incident occurred merely one month after another tragic flight accident involving Jeju Air, which resulted in 179 fatalities, highlighting growing concerns over aviation safety standards.
Officials from the South Korean government are currently contemplating stricter regulations for these budget airlines, addressing safety operational deficiencies and enabling more rigorous maintenance checks. This proactive approach follows the Jeju Air disaster, where questions about aircraft safety and operational readiness were raised.
Airlines are now being urged to adopt enhanced safety practices, as mentioned during the recent meetings involving key stakeholders in the aviation sector. Minister of Transport Park Sang-woo pointed out the importance of adapting new standards to improve the safety of all passengers, particularly with the rapid growth of budget airlines.
Air Busan, part of the larger aviation entity of Korean Air, has not previously reported accidents for over ten years. The focus now turns to their safety protocols, operational practices, and how they will adapt following this recent fire incident.
The airline manufacturer, Airbus, has acknowledged the reports of this incident and expressed their commitment to collaborating with Air Busan to assess the situation comprehensively.
Officials emphasized, based on initial assessments, the need for immediate updating of inspection protocols to prevent such incidents from recurring.
Air travel has been heavily affected by perceptions of safety, and after such events, it is another opportunity for industries to review all flight operational standards to reinforce passenger confidence. The scrutiny on these low-cost airlines is expected to intensify now, making it imperative for air transport stakeholders to address these issues decisively.
With the recent incidents otherwise contributing to heightened scrutiny, aviation authorities are hoping for systematic improvements across all airlines, ensuring safety for all who travel, particularly through the challenging evolution of modern air travel.