EasyJet Hurghada Flight Diverts to Rome After Power Bank Found Charging in Hold
EasyJet flight EZY2618, en route from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton, was rerouted to Rome Fiumicino on Tuesday night. The captain initiated the diversion after a passenger informed crew that a portable power bank was actively charging in the aircraft's hold.
Airlines have tightened regulations on power banks, largely mandating their storage in hand luggage due to the inherent fire risk posed by lithium-ion batteries. While there was reportedly no malfunction with the power bank itself, regulations explicitly prohibit these devices from charging in the cargo hold during a flight.
The aircraft landed without incident in Rome. Passengers were provided with accommodation and meals where possible, and refreshments for those remaining at the airport, before the flight was rescheduled for Wednesday.
EasyJet's guidelines permit a maximum of two power banks per customer in cabin baggage only, with a limit of 160 Watt-hours for lithium batteries. These devices must be individually protected and are strictly forbidden from use to charge other devices during flight.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation, a United Nations agency, implemented new restrictions for power banks in March. These stringent rules reflect the fire hazards associated with lithium-ion batteries, where an overheating or ignition event is significantly more manageable within the cabin than in an inaccessible cargo hold. Incidents, such as a passenger sustaining burns in Melbourne in November 2025 from a pocket-ignited power bank, and a January 2025 passenger plane fire in South Korea attributed to a power bank, underscore these concerns.
