A lithium battery unexpectedly burst into flames within a passenger’s carry-on bag during an Air China flight. The incident occurred on a Saturday flight heading to Incheon, South Korea, from Hangzhou, China, as confirmed by the airline.
The fiery luggage was stowed in an overhead compartment. Fortunately, alert crew members quickly brought the situation under control. It remains uncertain whether the ignited battery was part of an electronic device or a standalone spare.
Disturbing footage circulating on social media captured the overhead bin engulfed in flames, with thick smoke filling the cabin and causing considerable alarm among passengers.
The aircraft was promptly diverted and performed an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The airline confirmed that no passengers or crew sustained injuries.
This incident occurs just months after China introduced an urgent prohibition on certain portable batteries for flights. The ban, enacted in June, followed warnings from regulators about the increasing fire risks posed by such batteries during air travel.
In recent years, millions of lithium batteries—found in common items like cellphones, laptops, portable chargers, and e-cigarettes—have been recalled due to potential fire hazards.
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) explains that these batteries can spontaneously ignite if damaged or if they short circuit.
Up until June 30 of this year, the FAA documented 38 instances where lithium batteries caused smoke, fire, or extreme heat on both passenger and cargo flights. Last year alone, the agency recorded 89 similar occurrences.
In response to these dangers, governments and airlines worldwide have been implementing stricter rules regarding where these batteries can be transported on aircraft.
For instance, in the United States, most of these batteries are now forbidden in checked luggage unless the devices they power are completely switched off.
China, citing the inherent safety risks, has also prohibited passengers from carrying portable batteries without clear Chinese safety certifications on domestic flights.
However, the recent fire on the Air China flight involved a removable battery, which is currently not covered by China’s new regulations, according to the airline.