Hong Kong Airlines flight diverts following suspected hand luggage fire

A Hong Kong Airlines flight was diverted to Fuzhou, China, on March 20, 2025, due to a suspected hand-baggage fire, which broke out in an overhead compartment.

An airline spokesperson confirmed to Airline Economics that Hong Kong Airlines flight HX115, was travelling between Hangzhou and Hong Kong, when it was diverted to Fuzhou Changle International Airport, after the suspected fire broke out.

The A320, which was carrying160 passengers and eight crew members, landed safely after performing an emergency landing.

“This mitigated potential risks expeditiously and ensured passenger safety,” stated the airline spokesperson.

This incident is the latest in a spate of overhead compartment fires in recent months. In January, a power bank likely caused a fire on an Air Busan flight before departure in Busan and in February, another power bank overheated and set on fire on a Batik Air flight approaching Bangkok.

These recent incidents have put power bank and lithium battery usage on planes under scrutiny, with many airlines banning them from services.

According to Hong Kong Airlines' current baggage policy, the use of power banks is prohibited during flights. However, passengers are allowed to carry them in their hand luggage as long as they remain switched off. Additionally, spare lithium batteries and portable battery chargers are not permitted in checked baggage but are allowed in carry-on baggage.

The airline said it will now work closely with the authorities in an investigation into the incident.