Korea is tightening restrictions on battery-heated gadgets on airplanes, effectively banning most cordless hair tools and similar devices from both carry-on and checked luggage amid mounting fears over in-flight lithium-ion battery fires. The issue drew fresh attention after Australian traveler Ellie Tran was forced to abandon a wireless hair straightener worth around 500,000 won ($399) at Incheon International Airport before boarding a flight home to Sydney. Tran told British outlet Daily Mail that she had checked in the same model multiple times without incident and had even flown into Korea with it, only to be told on departure that it had to be discarded. The device contained a built-in lithium-ion battery that cannot be removed, which security officials flagged as a fire risk. Korean airlines now prohibit cordless straighteners, curling irons, portable irons and rechargeable hand warmers with non-removable batteries in both cabin and checked baggage on all routes. The crackdown isn’t limited to hair tools. Security officials at Incheon and other major Korean air hubs are increasin
