Lufthansa Flight Diverted After Passenger’s Power Bank Catches Fire

A Lufthansa flight travelling from Frankfurt to Lisbon was diverted to Lyon, France, after a passenger’s power bank caught fire onboard, the airline said.

The incident occurred on Saturday while the Airbus A321-200, carrying 198 passengers, was en route to the Portuguese capital.

According to a Lufthansa spokesperson, the cabin crew responded immediately and secured the battery inside a protective bag specifically designed for lithium batteries.

No injuries were reported in the incident.

Flight Diverted as a Precaution

The aircraft's pilot subsequently decided to divert the flight to Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft landed safely and without further incident, allowing passengers and crew to disembark.

Passengers spent the night in a hotel before continuing their journey to Lisbon on Sunday.

Lufthansa said the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority.

“The safety of our passengers and crews remains Lufthansa's top priority at all times,” the airline said.

Lufthansa Tightens Power Bank Rules

The incident highlights ongoing concerns surrounding lithium-ion batteries and power banks on commercial aircraft.

Lufthansa has prohibited passengers from using or charging external batteries during flights since January, although passengers can still carry up to two power banks in the cabin, subject to the airline's safety requirements.

Power banks and other lithium-ion batteries can pose a safety risk if they become damaged, overheat or experience a malfunction.

Airlines and aviation authorities have therefore introduced increasingly strict rules governing how such batteries can be transported and used onboard aircraft.

Passengers Continue Journey

Following the precautionary diversion, passengers were provided with overnight accommodation before resuming their journey to Lisbon on Sunday.

Lufthansa did not report any injuries or significant damage resulting from the battery incident.

The episode serves as another reminder of the importance of following airline instructions concerning portable electronic devices and lithium batteries while travelling.