An EasyJet flight traveling from Egypt to the U.S. diverted to Rome after a passenger reported a charging power bank in checked luggage [1, 2].
This incident highlights the critical safety risks associated with lithium-ion batteries in cargo holds, where fires can be difficult to extinguish mid-flight. Aviation authorities strictly prohibit charging devices in checked bags due to the potential for thermal runaway and explosions [1, 5].
Flight EZY2618 departed from Hurghada International Airport in Egypt with its intended destination being London Luton Airport [4, 5]. The diversion occurred on Tuesday evening, May 19, 2026, at approximately 23:30 local time [2, 3].
According to reports, a passenger said to the crew during the flight that they had left a power bank charging inside their checked luggage [1, 3]. The crew acted on this information by initiating a precautionary diversion to Rome, Italy [2, 6]. The aircraft landed in Rome early Wednesday morning to ensure the safety of the passengers and crew [2].
Airline safety protocols require that all portable electronic devices containing lithium batteries be carried in the cabin rather than the hold [1, 5]. This allows crew members to respond immediately if a device begins to overheat or catch fire. In the cargo hold, such a fire could go undetected until it becomes uncontrollable, posing a severe threat to the structural integrity of the aircraft [1, 5].
EasyJet and aviation regulators said that power banks must be completely powered off and protected from accidental activation when transported [1]. The decision to divert the flight to Rome was a preventative measure to mitigate the risk of an onboard fire before the plane continued its journey to the UK [2, 3].
“The flight was diverted to Rome as a precaution after a passenger reported a power bank charging in checked luggage”
This event underscores the rigid adherence of modern airlines to lithium-battery safety protocols. Because lithium-ion batteries can enter a state of thermal runaway—where a cell heats up and triggers neighboring cells to ignite—cargo holds are high-risk zones. A diversion for a reported but unmanifested fire risk demonstrates that airlines prioritize the potential for catastrophic failure over the logistical costs of unplanned landings.
