EVA Air will prohibit the inflight use and charging of power banks and spare lithium batteries beginning March 1, citing flight safety concerns.

In an announcement on its official Facebook page, the airline reiterated that power banks and spare lithium batteries are strictly prohibited in checked baggage and must be placed in carry-on luggage, stored properly to avoid compression or damage.

Passengers are advised to fully charge their devices before boarding, as most seats are equipped with AC power outlets and USB ports.

The policy follows a similar move by South Korea, which recently banned power banks and e-cigarettes in overhead bins on Korean-owned airlines. The decision comes after a fire broke out last month in an overhead compartment on an Air Busan flight to Hong Kong, reportedly due to an electronic device or power bank.