An easyJet flight from Hurghada to London’s Luton Airport was diverted to Rome this week after crew were told a passenger had a power bank charging in checked baggage. Flight EZY2618 landed safely at Fiumicino on May 19, and passengers got off the aircraft routinely.
The decision was made on Tuesday evening as a precaution under safety rules, according to the airline. EasyJet said it arranged hotel accommodation and meals where available, while passengers who stayed at the airport were given refreshments.
For some on board, the abrupt change of course turned an ordinary journey into a tense few minutes. Paul Casterton said the plane suddenly altered direction and began to descend, with no explanation at first. “No one knew what to think,” he said, adding that it was hard not to fear the worst.
Once word spread that the diversion was linked to a power bank, passengers said relief replaced panic. Casterton said people were grateful the issue was not more serious and described the episode as an ordeal that ended with everyone safe.
The incident underlined a rule that applies across U.S. and international flights: portable chargers and lithium-ion batteries are banned from checked bags because they can catch fire. That is why airlines treat reports like this one seriously, even when the item involved turns out not to have caused any damage.
EasyJet said the captain diverted the aircraft after being informed that a power bank was charging in luggage. The plane continued to Rome instead of London, and the airline’s response after landing focused on getting passengers fed, sheltered and moved on. The unanswered question for travelers is not whether the jet landed safely — it did — but how many people still do not realize that batteries in checked bags can trigger a major disruption before a flight even reaches its destination.
