SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A passenger plane operated by Air Busan caught fire before takeoff at Gimhae International Airport on January 28, 2025. Thankfully, all 176 people on board were safely evacuated, authorities confirmed. The Airbus A321 was preparing for its flight to Hong Kong when the incident occurred.
The fire ignited at the rear of the aircraft, prompting officials to deploy firefighters and emergency services. Although the cause of the fire is still under investigation, early indications suggest it may be linked to a portable power bank stored incorrectly.
During the evacuation, 169 passengers, six crew members, and one engineer exited the plane using escape slides. Reports from the National Fire Agency indicated three individuals sustained minor injuries as they exited the aircraft.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another aviation disaster involving Jeju Air, which resulted in the tragic loss of 179 lives on December 29. The crash raised serious alarms about the safety protocols of budget airlines, prompting many travelers to reconsider their flying options.
With increasing concerns about air travel safety, particularly among budget airline passengers, experts have called for substantial reforms. For some travelers like 27-year-old Lee Ji-yun, the recent string of aviation incidents has significantly impacted booking choices. "Normally, I’d go for the cheapest option because going to Japan from Korea is such a short flight," she said. "But the recent incidents involving budget carriers made me feel uneasy about flying with them. I felt like my safety would be guaranteed flying with legacy carriers instead." This sentiment is beginning to shift consumer behavior, highlighting the increasing reluctance to choose budget airlines.
The decline in passengers for South Korea's six major low-cost carriers (LCCs) has been notable; between late December and early January, passenger numbers dropped from 1.36 million to about 1.16 million. Many observers predict this trend could continue to decrease, especially following the Air Busan incident.
Responding to these safety incidents, experts stress the urgent need for comprehensive reform of the aircraft maintenance system and aviation security regulations. Kwon Bo-hun, an aviation safety management professor at Far East University, emphasized, "Typically, the probability of an aircraft accident resulting in fatalities is as low as 1 in 10 million. But when such accidents occur, it can lead to significant social repercussions." Kwon advocates for improved maintenance procedures and expanded personnel to prioritize passenger safety.
"If the cause of the Air Busan fire is determined to have been caused by a portable power bank, measures to implement stricter guidelines on such items or to restrict them completely should also be considered," Kwon added. Following the Air Busan incident, the government is reportedly reviewing new regulations on transporting batteries aboard commercial flights, particularly lithium-ion batteries used widely in consumer electronics.
While current guidelines require passengers to carry batteries on board instead of stowing them, many travelers remain unaware of the potential risks involved and continue to store these items improperly. Professor Kim Kwang-il from Silla University has stressed the importance of establishing standardized regulations across airlines, saying, "The lack of consistency emphasizes the need for unified standards from aviation authorities."
There have been 23 reported battery fires on airplanes within South Korea over the past five years, highlighting the need for vigilant oversight over hazardous materials. While most of these fires have been managed quickly, one incident aboard an aircraft took almost five minutes to extinguish—a stark reminder of the potential dangers.
The Korean government is also urged to collaborate with the International Civil Aviation Organization to strengthen global safety standards around battery transport. Lee Gun-young, another aviation safety professor, highlighted the need for international action, asserting, "After reviewing current regulations, the Korean government should notify the International Civil Aviation Organization to encourage the international community to update global standards."
Moving forward, the urgency to address these safety concerns cannot be overstated. With the recent Air Busan fire still fresh in passengers' minds, the aviation industry stands at a crossroads, faced with the challenge of restoring public confidence as calls for reform and stricter regulations intensify.