What happened on the EasyJet flight
An EasyJet flight traveling from Hurghada in Egypt to London Luton was diverted to Rome after a safety concern involving a power bank on board.
The flight, operated by EasyJet as EZY2618, changed route roughly three hours after departure while flying over the Adriatic Sea. The crew received information from a passenger that a portable charger was inside checked baggage and was also in a charging state.
The captain decided to land at Rome Fiumicino as a precaution. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers stayed overnight before continuing their journey the next day. The airline arranged hotel rooms and meals where possible.
Why the diversion happened
The main concern was not visible damage or smoke, but compliance with safety rules.
Power banks use lithium ion batteries, which can overheat under certain conditions. Because of this, aviation rules strictly control how they are carried and used during flights.
Crew members treat any report of misuse seriously, especially when a device is not in the cabin where it can be monitored.
Airline rules on power banks
Airlines apply strict conditions for portable chargers to reduce fire risk.
Common rules include:
1 Power banks must stay in cabin baggage only
2 They cannot be used to charge devices during flight
3 Charging must not occur inside checked baggage
4 Limits apply on battery size and quantity per passenger
Different airlines set slightly different limits, but the safety approach remains similar.
Safety risks behind lithium ion batteries
Lithium ion batteries can become unstable if damaged, overheated, or improperly stored. If a failure happens, it is easier to respond when the device is in the passenger cabin.
In the cargo hold, detection and response take longer. That is why airlines avoid allowing these devices in checked luggage.
Other recent incidents involving power banks
Aviation authorities have reported several safety cases linked to portable batteries.
In one case at Melbourne airport in 2025, a power bank in a passenger pocket caught fire and caused burns. In another incident in South Korea in 2025, a suspected battery related fire damaged a passenger aircraft and injured passengers.
Global aviation regulators have tightened rules further in response to such events.
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