20-3-2025 (HONG KONG) A Hong Kong Airlines aircraft was forced to execute an emergency landing in Fuzhou following an alarming overhead locker fire. The Airbus A320, carrying 168 souls aboard, had departed from Hangzhou shortly before 13:00 hours when the incident unfolded.
Whilst the precise catalyst remains officially undisclosed, circulating social media footage reveals telltale signs of what appears to be a power bank combustion, evidenced by scorched overhead compartments. The incident, which fortunately concluded without casualties, adds to mounting concerns over portable charging devices in aircraft cabins.
This episode emerges against a backdrop of escalating battery-related incidents in commercial aviation. A particularly notable case involved an Air Busan aircraft in January, where a portable charging device is believed to have sparked a fire. The incident prompted South Korean aviation authorities to implement stringent measures, requiring passengers to properly insulate power bank ports or contain them within plastic pouches.
The aviation industry has witnessed a troubling pattern of similar occurrences, including a recent Batik Air flight where a power bank malfunction led to cabin smoke. In response, several prominent carriers across Asia, including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, and AirAsia, have taken the decisive step of prohibiting power bank usage during flights.
The Hong Kong Airlines incident culminated in a successful emergency response, with crew members swiftly extinguishing the fire. The aircraft, operating as Flight HX115, had been en route to Hong Kong when the emergency procedures were initiated.
