An easyJet flight carrying 180 passengers was diverted to Rome after a power bank was discovered in the luggage hold. The flight, EZY2618, departed from Hurghada, Egypt, and was en route to London Luton Airport on Tuesday, May 19.
During the flight, a passenger alerted cabin crew to the presence of a portable charger actively charging a mobile phone within their checked luggage. The captain subsequently decided to divert the aircraft as a precautionary measure. The plane landed safely at Rome Fiumicino approximately three hours after departure.
Passengers were provided with overnight accommodation in Rome and were transferred to a new flight to Luton the following day, which departed at 2 p.m. An airline spokesperson stated that the diversion was implemented in line with safety regulations, emphasizing that the safety of customers and crew is the airline's highest priority.
Power banks and other lithium battery-powered devices are subject to strict airline regulations due to the risk of overheating or short-circuiting, which can pose fire hazards. Many airlines require these devices to be stored in hand luggage rather than checked baggage. EasyJet's policy permits power banks with a Watt-hour (Wh) rating not exceeding 160Wh in cabin baggage only. They are prohibited from use on board and must be protected to prevent damage. Passengers are limited to carrying up to two such devices.
Several other airlines have also updated their policies regarding power banks. Lufthansa, for example, bans the use of power banks on flights and prohibits them from checked luggage, requiring them to be stored in carry-on baggage, under the seat or on the person. British Airways and Ryanair also restrict power banks to cabin baggage only and have specific rules about their use and storage during flights. These updated regulations stem from incidents where power banks have overheated and caused fires on aircraft, although no injuries were reported in those instances.