EasyJet diverts flight after passenger alerts crew to power bank in luggage
The airline said the captain diverted as a precaution after crew learned a power bank was charging in checked luggage, affecting about 180 passengers.
- On May 25, easyJet flight EZY2618 from Hurghada, Egypt diverted to Rome after a passenger reported leaving a power bank charging another device in checked baggage, landing safely at Rome Fiumicino at 11:33 p.m.
- The Federal Aviation Administration documented 563 incidents involving lithium-ion battery fires between 2006 and February 2026, with thermal runaway—a chain reaction from overheating or damage—prompting the International Civil Aviation Organization to impose restrictions in March.
- Under U.K. Civil Aviation Authority rules, power banks are prohibited in checked baggage; easyJet limits devices to two per customer at 100Wh maximum and requires them "individually protected," while prohibiting their use onboard to charge other devices.
- The aircraft landed safely with passengers disembarking routinely; easyJet provided hotel accommodation, meals, and refreshments before travelers completed their journey to London Luton Airport on Wednesday morning.
- Major carriers globally have tightened restrictions: Lufthansa banned power banks onboard in January, Southwest Airlines requires visible devices, Singapore Airlines prohibits charging during flights, and American Airlines implemented quantity limits in May, reflecting industry-wide responses to documented safety incidents.
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How a power bank in a checked bag created a 16-hour delay for passengers on a flight to Rome
An easyJet Airbus A320.Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty ImagesAn easyJet flight diverted after a passenger said their power bank was charging in the hold.Power banks pose a fire risk, so passengers had to wait overnight to continue their journey.It's the latest incident that shows why aviation regulators are concerned about power banks.One passenger's mistake while packing their luggage forced their flight…
EasyJet item ban after flight diverted due to passenger's luggage
An EasyJet flight was diverted to Rome over the weekend after a passenger's power bank in their checked luggage sparked a potential fire risk - here's what you need to know about EasyJet's checked luggage power bank ban
The passengers were able to continue their journey the next day.
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