LONDON- British Airways (BA) was involved in an incident at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) before flight BA585 was due to depart for London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The flight was operated by an Airbus A321neo, registration G-NEOT.
A fire broke out in a luggage container moments before it was due to be loaded onto the aircraft. A lithium battery, such as a power bank, was suspected as the cause, but British Airways said the investigation was still underway.
Lithium Battery Fire Delays British Airways Flight at Milan Malpensa
The fire started in a baggage container containing luggage for BA585. Former BBC politics journalist Jon Sopel, who was waiting to board the flight, recorded footage showing thick black smoke rising from the container and orange flames around its outside.
Ground workers quickly moved nearby luggage containers away to prevent the fire from spreading. Airport fire trucks arrived and firefighters used water to douse the burning container.
British Airways said a small number of checked bags were damaged. There were no injuries and no impact on other flights. The airline contacted affected customers to apologize and provide support while working with its partners to establish the cause.
BA585 later departed for London Heathrow after a delay of nearly two and a half hours.
Why Lithium Batteries Are a Serious Risk
The cause has not been confirmed, but lithium batteries are a major concern because they can experience thermal runaway. When one battery cell overheats, the reaction can spread to other cells and cause the battery to catch fire.
A lithium battery fire is especially difficult to manage in an aircraft cargo hold. Although cargo holds have automated fire detection and suppression systems, they are not guaranteed to stop a severe lithium battery fire.
In the passenger cabin, an overheating battery can be detected more quickly. Crew can respond by placing it in water or using a special fire-containment bag.
Power banks and spare lithium batteries have long been prohibited in checked luggage because of this risk.
British Airways Power Bank Rules
British Airways introduced stricter power bank rules earlier this year. The airline’s rules include:
- Maximum of 2 power banks per passenger.
- Each power bank must not exceed 100 Wh.
- Power banks must not be stored in overhead lockers.
- Power banks must remain easily accessible throughout the flight.
- The in-seat power supply must not be used to charge power banks.
- Power banks must not be used to charge other devices during takeoff and landing.
- Power banks are prohibited from checked luggage.
The changes followed recommendations from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) after the Air Busan fire in January 2025.
Similar Incident
In January 2025, a lithium battery in a passenger’s backpack overheated and caught fire inside an overhead bin on an Air Busan Airbus A321 in South Korea.
The fire spread before it was fully recognized, and cabin crew were unable to extinguish it. Passengers evacuated using the emergency escape slides, and the aircraft was destroyed.
The event drew renewed attention to the importance of keeping power banks in locations where crew can see and reach them quickly. British Airways’ restrictions on overhead-locker storage follow the same basic safety principle: a battery that begins to overheat should be identified before the situation escalates.
In an another incident in May, an easyJet (U2) flight from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton made a precautionary diversion after a passenger told a flight attendant that a power bank had been left in checked luggage.
The incident showed how seriously airlines treat power banks transported in aircraft holds, even when no fire has been confirmed.
Fire-Resistant Containers Can Limit Spread
Depending on the aircraft and configuration, baggage may be loose-loaded into the cargo hold and secured with nets or loaded into metal containers.
Some airlines use fire-resistant cargo containers to help contain fires. They can reduce the risk of a fire spreading, but they do not eliminate the danger of a lithium battery fire.
In 2022, a Qatar Airways Airbus A350 made an emergency landing in Karachi, Pakistan, after pilots were alerted to a possible cargo hold fire. One fire-resistant cargo container showed scorch marks on the outside after a fire started inside, but the fire did not spread.
What Happened to BA585?
The baggage container fire was contained on the ground before the luggage was loaded onto the aircraft. A small number of checked bags were damaged, but there were no injuries.
BA585 eventually departed Milan Malpensa for London Heathrow after a delay of nearly two and a half hours. The cause of the fire remained under investigation.
The incident, reported by PYOK, highlights why passengers must keep power banks and spare lithium batteries out of checked luggage and follow airline restrictions on their storage and use.
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