Jeju Air flight evacuates 168 passengers after power bank fire

On the evening of October 10, 2026, a Jeju Air flight (7C227) scheduled to depart from Cheongju International Airport for Jeju was forced to evacuate all 168 passengers and crew after a power bank caught fire.

The incident occurred while the aircraft was waiting to taxi to the runway. A passenger's portable battery began emitting sparks and smoke. Nearby passengers attempted to smother the device with clothing, and flight attendants successfully extinguished the flames using a specialized lithium battery fire suppression pouch. While no major injuries were reported, smoke spread through the cabin, necessitating a full evacuation.

Jeju Air conducted ventilation procedures and assessed the aircraft's airworthiness before arranging a replacement flight to transport passengers to Jeju the following morning. This incident follows a series of similar lithium battery-related scares in South Korean aviation, prompting stricter regulations. Current rules mandate that power banks be carried in hand luggage, prohibit charging devices during flights, and limit capacity to specific watt-hour thresholds to mitigate fire risks.