A passenger's battery pack mishap brought one of aviation's biggest safety questions back into focus

A passenger reported that a power bank was charging a device inside checked luggage during an easyJet flight from Hurghada to London. The flight diverted to Rome because regulations prohibit power banks in the cargo hold. Passengers stayed overnight and continued the trip the next day, arriving at London Luton about 16 hours late. easyJet provided hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments for those who remained in the airport. Power banks are allowed only in the cabin due to lithium-ion battery fire risk, including thermal runaway from damage or overcharging. The UK Civil Aviation Authority called for increased awareness of overheating and fire hazards from portable chargers.

"Last week, a passenger on an easyJet flight told the crew during the flight that a power bank was charging a device in their checked bag. The flight from Hurghada, Egypt, to London diverted to Rome because regulations state that power banks are not allowed in the airplane's cargo hold. Passengers then had to wait overnight to continue their journey after the Airbus A320 landed in the Italian capital around 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday."

"“The aircraft landed safely and passengers disembarked routinely,” an easyJet spokesperson said in a statement shared with Business Insider. “We provided hotel accommodation and meals where available and provided customers who stayed in the airport with refreshments.” The flight reached London Luton Airport around 4 p.m. the next day, nearly 16 hours later than it was originally scheduled to arrive."

"Power banks can only be carried in an airplane's cabin because they pose a fire risk. Like laptops and phones, they are generally powered by lithium-ion batteries, which are susceptible to thermal runaway: If the battery is damaged or overcharged, it can spark a chain reaction and a rapid rise in temperature."

"Following the easyJet incident, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority told the BBC that “more awareness” was needed as portable chargers carry “serious risks” of overheating or catching fire. “It is absolutely a rule that can make a difference,” the CAA's Jonathan Nicholson told the outlet. “I wouldn't want to be the passenger who packed it in the wrong place and ended up with all the other passengers in the wrong city because the fl"

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