Taipei: Eva Air will implement a ban on the inflight use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries starting March 1. The airline announced this decision as a measure for flight safety in a Facebook post on Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Eva Air emphasized that power banks and spare lithium batteries are already prohibited in checked-in baggage. These items must be placed in carry-on baggage and properly stored to prevent compression or damage during the flight. The airline advised passengers to ensure their devices are fully charged before boarding, as most airplane seats are equipped with AC power outlets and USB (Type A) ports.

This move comes after the South Korean government announced a similar ban on power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins of Korean-owned airlines, which is set to take effect on March 1. The decision was influenced by an incident last month when a fire broke out on a Hong Kong-bound Air Busan plane from Busan. The fire, originating from an overhead compartment, suggested that an electronic device or power bank could have been the cause.