UK-Bound EasyJet Flight Diverted To Rome After Power Bank Incident

UK-Bound easyJet Flight Diverted to Rome After Power Bank Incident

A UK-bound easyJet flight was forced to divert to Rome after cabin crew were alerted that a power bank was charging inside a passenger’s checked luggage.Flight EZY2618 had departed from Hurghada and was scheduled to land at London Luton Airport in the early hours of Wednesday. According to the airline, the aircraft diverted to Rome Fiumicino Airport as a precaution after a passenger informed crew members mid-flight that a portable charger was charging in luggage stored in the aircraft hold. easyJet said the captain made the decision “in line with safety regulations,” noting that lithium-ion batteries and power banks are generally prohibited in checked baggage because they pose a potential fire risk.

The aircraft landed safely in Rome on Tuesday night, and passengers disembarked normally. The airline provided hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments where available while arranging onward travel the following day. Passengers onboard reportedly became anxious after the aircraft unexpectedly changed direction, with some initially fearing a more serious emergency before learning the reason for the diversion. One traveler described the incident as “stressful until we landed,” adding there was “relief that everyone was OK.Airlines around the world have tightened restrictions on power banks in recent years following several overheating and battery fire incidents involving lithium-ion devices during flights.