Power bank fire forces KLM Curaçao flight back to Schiphol

AMSTERDAM — A KLM flight bound for Curaçao returned to Schiphol after a power bank caught fire on board. The cabin crew managed to extinguish the fire, but the airline decided to return to Amsterdam for safety reasons.

The Boeing 777 had already been flying for several hours and was over the Atlantic Ocean when the incident occurred. Passengers are being rebooked, although it is unclear whether everyone will be able to travel on the next Curaçao flight the same day.

KLM has specific rules for power banks. Passengers may carry a maximum of two within set capacity limits, but they may not be used during the flight or stored in overhead baggage compartments. The airline advises passengers to keep them with them at all times.

A similar incident occurred about a year ago on a KLM flight from São Paulo to Amsterdam, when an overheated power bank caused smoke inside the cabin. The crew also brought that incident under control.