Fire from passenger battery forces evacuation of Jeju Air flight at Cheongju

A fire started in a passenger’s portable battery on a Jeju Air aircraft at Cheongju International Airport before departure to Jeju.

Another report said 167 passengers were evacuated from the same flight. The fire was put out by covering the battery with clothing and placing it in a lithium‑battery fire‑suppression pouch, and no injuries were reported. Jeju Air began smoke removal and is assessing the aircraft’s operational status, while the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has introduced new ICAO‑aligned rules limiting carry‑on portable batteries to two units of 160 Wh or less.