Hong Kong Airlines Flight Diverts To Fuzhou After Fire Erupts

A Hong Kong Airlines flight from Hangzhou to Hong Kong made an emergency landing at Fuzhou Changle International Airport on March 20, 2025, due to a fire in the aircraft's luggage rack. The fire was extinguished safely. Flight HX115, which had departed from Hangzhou Xiaoshan Airport at 12:40 PM, was carrying 160 passengers and 8 crew members and was originally scheduled to land in Hong Kong by 2:56 PM. The incident prompted immediate action from both the crew and passengers aboard.

As the aircraft reached a cruising altitude of over 9,000 meters, panic ensued when some passengers noticed smoke billowing from the luggage compartment. Eyewitness reports detail how passengers and cabin crew sprang into action, recalling the moment when a voice shouted, "It's on fire!" The smell of burning plastic quickly filled the cabin, heightening fears among those on board.

Videos shared on social media depict moments of chaos, with several passengers and crew members dousing the flaming luggage with water bottles and juice in an attempt to tame the flames. Witnesses indicated that efforts to bring fire extinguishers from the back of the plane were delayed, complicating the situation.

Hong Kong Airlines confirmed that the flight was operated by an Airbus A320 and that the fire was indeed extinguished before the plane landed the incident at nearly 2:00 PM. As a precaution, the airline is currently investigating the cause of the fire, which may stem from a power bank used in the luggage compartment. Such devices have recently been a cause of concern for airlines worldwide, particularly after a previous incident involving a power bank explosion on a Busan Air flight, leading many airlines to tighten regulations regarding lithium batteries in cabin baggage.

In response to the incident, Hong Kong Airlines clarified that passengers are prohibited from using power banks to charge electronic devices during flights. Similarly, Hong Kong Express and numerous other airlines, including Thai Airways and Japan Airlines, have issued warnings against carrying spare lithium and lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage.

The severe incident has brought renewed scrutiny over passenger safety regulations regarding portable electronic devices on flights. Until the investigations conclude, local authorities and airlines are urging passengers to adhere strictly to guidelines concerning the transport and usage of power banks and other devices that may pose fire risks.

In light of the emergency landing, Hong Kong Airlines has arranged for another aircraft to transport passengers back to Hong Kong, expected to arrive at the local airport at approximately 8:55 PM on the same day. While no injuries have been reported, the unsettling experience left many passengers shaken.

This incident marks a significant event for Hong Kong Airlines as it underscores the potential dangers associated with electronic devices on flights and highlights the ongoing need for vigilance and strict adherence to safety protocols in aviation.