An easyJet flight from Hurghada, Egypt to London’s Luton Airport was diverted to Rome this week after a passenger told the crew that a power bank was charging in checked baggage. Flight EZY2618 landed safely at Rome Fiumicino on May 19, and passengers got off the plane routinely after it touched down.
For passengers on board, the sudden change in course turned a routine trip into a moment of fear and confusion. Paul Casterton said no one knew what to think when the aircraft changed direction and began to descend, adding that it was hard not to fear the worst. He later said, “Thank goodness it wasn’t a bomb in the hold,” and described the diversion as “quite an ordeal,” though he said the main feeling was relief that everyone was OK.
EasyJet said the captain chose to divert the aircraft as a precaution, in line with safety regulations. The airline provided hotel accommodation and meals where available, while passengers who remained in the airport were given refreshments.
The incident also highlights a basic aviation rule that is often forgotten until it becomes a problem: portable chargers and lithium-ion batteries are prohibited in checked bags on all U.S. and international flights because of fire risk. In this case, the suspected battery issue did not lead to an emergency landing, and the aircraft reached Rome Fiumicino safely before passengers were released in the normal way.
The unanswered question after the diversion is not whether the flight was safe — it was — but how a banned power bank ended up in checked baggage on an international trip in the first place.
