An easyJet flight from Hurghada to London Luton was diverted to Rome after a portable charger was found charging in the aircraft hold. A passenger notified cabin crew that the power bank was in use in the hold. The captain diverted the flight about three hours into the journey and landed safely at Rome Fiumicino shortly afterward. Passengers were moved to a flight to Luton the next day and received overnight accommodation and meals. Airlines have tightened power bank rules due to risks of overheating or short-circuiting that can create fire and safety hazards. Some require power banks to be stored in hand luggage rather than the hold.
"Flight EZY2618 jetted off from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton Airport on Tuesday, May 19. But the journey soon took a turn when a traveller notified cabin crew that they had a portable charger in use in the hold of the plane. The captain then decided to divert the flight three hours into the trip and landed safely at Rome Fiumicino 20 minutes later."
"Passengers were moved to a flight to Luton the following day at 2pm and provided with overnight accommodation. Many airlines have tightened their rules regarding power banks on planes, due to the risk of them overheating or short-circuiting, posing a fire and safety hazard on flights. Some require the handy pieces of tech to be stored in hand luggage instead of the hold."
"In this case, the power bank was charging a mobile phone in the passenger's hold luggage. Paul Casterton, 57, who was flying with his partner Laura Bartlett, 61, told The Sun: 'No one knew what to think. Suddenly the plane changed direction and made a descent. It was hard not to fear the worst.'"
"A spokesperson for the airline told the Daily Mail: 'Flight EZY2618 from Hurghada to London Luton on 19 May diverted to Rome Fiumicino and was rescheduled to operate the following morning as the crew were informed that a power bank was charging in a passenger's luggage. 'The captain then took the decision to divert as a precaution in line with safety regulations. 'The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely. We provided hotel accommodation and meals were available.'"
Read at Mail Online
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