BEIJING– An Air China (CA) flight from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) to Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN) was diverted to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) on October 18 after a passenger’s lithium battery caught fire inside the cabin.
The airline confirmed that flight CA139 landed safely in Shanghai following the incident. No passengers or crew members were injured, according to a statement posted by Air China on Weibo.
Air China Battery Fire in Cabin
Air China reported that a lithium battery inside a passenger’s carry-on luggage “spontaneously ignited” in the overhead bin during the flight. The crew acted swiftly, using onboard safety equipment to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading.
A photo shared by local media outlet Jimu News showed flames and black smoke emerging from an overhead compartment, with passengers assisting the crew in containing the situation.
The aircraft, which departed Hangzhou at 9:47 am local time, changed course mid-flight and landed safely in Shanghai around 11 am.
Airlines have strict procedures for handling lithium battery fires in cabins. Fire containment bags and heat-resistant gloves are now standard equipment on many aircraft, including U.S. and Asian carriers. Once a burning device is isolated, it’s placed in a containment bag and secured in a metal cart until the plane lands.
Experts note that battery fires are easier to control inside the passenger cabin than in the cargo hold.
This safety consideration has driven international regulations banning “smart” suitcases and portable electronic devices with non-removable batteries from being checked into hold luggage.
Similar Incident
This is not an isolated case. In August, a Condor Airlines (DE) Boeing 757 flying from Corfu (CFU), Greece, to Düsseldorf (DUS), Germany, was diverted to Brindisi, Italy (BDS), after one of its engines caught fire shortly after takeoff. The flight, carrying 273 passengers, landed safely with no injuries reported.
The incident underscores how quickly fire-related emergencies can escalate in flight, and how critical crew training and emergency procedures are in preventing casualties.
Safety and Regulation Updates
Global aviation authorities continue to monitor lithium battery incidents, pushing for stricter packaging standards and clearer passenger guidelines.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) both emphasize that portable chargers and power banks must remain in the cabin, never in checked baggage.
As air travel rebounds and the number of personal electronic devices increases, airlines are reinforcing awareness about battery safety to prevent future in-flight fires.
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