An EasyJet flight bound for London was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger alerted the crew to a power bank that was charging inside someone's luggage. The airline confirmed that the diversion was carried out as a precautionary measure, and the flight was rescheduled for the following day.
Incident Details
Flight EZY2618 departed from Hurghada, Egypt, and was scheduled to land at Luton Airport early on Wednesday. Instead, it touched down at Rome Fiumicino Airport, where passengers were provided with hotel accommodation for the night. An EasyJet spokesperson told The Independent: “The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations. The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely, and we provided hotel accommodation and meals where available. As some customers remained in the airport, they were provided with refreshments.”
Power Bank Restrictions
Most airlines impose restrictions on bringing power banks onboard aircraft. EasyJet's guidelines prohibit passengers from using or charging power banks during flights and require that the devices be protected in individual packaging. Customers are allowed to carry no more than two power banks in their carry-on baggage only. The spokesperson emphasised: “The safety of its passengers and crew is easyJet's highest priority, and easyJet operates its fleet of aircraft in strict compliance with all manufacturers' guidelines. We would like to apologise to all passengers for any inconvenience caused by the diversion and subsequent delay.”
Fire Hazard Concerns
Several airlines ban the use or charging of power banks due to severe fire hazards. The lithium-ion batteries found in many power banks pose a significant fire risk to aircraft and confined cabin spaces if they become damaged. Glenn Bradley, head of flight operations at the Civil Aviation Authority, previously warned: “Lithium batteries power everything from vapes and mobile phones to cameras and power banks. If they become faulty or damaged, they can cause an intense fire that is difficult to extinguish, both in the cabin or the hold of an aircraft. Correct handling reduces risk. Lithium batteries should be carried in your carry-on baggage. Power banks and spare batteries should also be in a cabin bag and should be completely turned off and not in standby mode.”
