Mid-air fire on Air China Flight sparks safety concerns; Are passengers ignoring lithium battery rules?

Can a single battery endanger an entire flight? A lithium battery caught fire mid-air on an Air China flight, forcing an emergency landing. As video footage stuns the internet, experts question how seriously DGCA battery rules are being followed.

Shanghai: An ordinary flight turned terrifying when a lithium battery inside a carry-on bag caught fire mid-air, forcing an emergency landing. The incident occurred on Air China Flight CA139, which was en route from Hangzhou to Seoul on October 18.

According to a report by chinese news agency the flight took off at 9:47 AM and was scheduled to land at 12:20 PM. Midway through the journey, passengers were shocked to see smoke and flames emerging from an overhead baggage compartment.

Panic Onboard: Incident Captured on Video

Passengers immediately began recording the scene as the cabin filled with smoke. In the widely shared videos, people are seen panicking, backing away from the flames, and calling for help. Flight attendants rushed in with fire extinguishers and managed to control the blaze before it could spread further.

Air China confirmed that the fire originated from a lithium battery in a passenger's carry-on bag. Thankfully, no injuries were reported. The flight made an emergency landing at Shanghai Pudong Airport, and a replacement aircraft was arranged to continue the journey to Seoul.

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What Went Wrong? Spotlight on Lithium Battery Safety

The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny on the safety of lithium batteries in air travel. Experts say lithium batteries—found in smartphones, laptops, power banks, and other electronics—pose a significant fire risk if not handled correctly.

DGCA Guidelines: Are They Being Ignored?

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has clear rules regarding lithium batteries, but many passengers remain unaware—or ignore them. Here's what the DGCA mandates:

• Carry lithium batteries and power banks only in hand luggage.
• Never place them in checked baggage.
• Power banks must not be used or charged during the flight.
• Battery capacity must not exceed 100 Wh without special permission.
• Batteries above 160 Wh are banned.

The DGCA also requires spare batteries to have protected terminals to prevent short circuits, and damaged or swollen batteries are strictly prohibited onboard.

Violating these regulations can lead to penalties up to ₹1 crore, depending on the severity.

Airlines Worldwide Are Tightening Rules

Globally, airlines are taking proactive steps. Emirates and Flydubai, for instance, banned the in-flight use of power banks starting October 1, 2025, following a string of fire-related incidents.

The Air China case underscores how compliance gaps—by either passengers or airline staff—can lead to potential disasters in the air.

Wake-Up Call for Passengers and Airlines

While lithium batteries are indispensable in today’s travel, incidents like this highlight the urgent need for awareness and enforcement. Every airline, crew member, and passenger has a role to play in ensuring that battery-powered convenience doesn’t become a flight hazard.

As one aviation expert puts it, “One careless mistake can put hundreds of lives at risk.”