Swiss Flight Lands in Dublin After Power Bank Smokes Onboard

A Swiss Air Lines flight bound for Boston made an emergency landing in Dublin on Sunday night after smoke was detected onboard. The source of the smoke was a power bank, according to the airline.

This incident marks the second time in two weeks that a Swiss aircraft has been forced to make an unscheduled landing due to issues with electronic devices. The airline stated that these devices are no longer permitted for use on any Lufthansa Group airlines since January.

The flight, which departed from Zurich, landed in Dublin in the early hours of Monday. Swiss confirmed that while an emergency signal was activated to gain landing priority, it was not a full emergency landing. The 206 passengers were provided with hotel accommodation while the airline organized their onward journey.

Earlier, on July 27, a Swiss flight from Zurich to New York diverted to Bangor, Maine, after smoke filled the cabin. The cause then was a charging case for headphones that had fallen between seats, becoming trapped and damaged. Swiss clarified that such a case, due to its charging function, is also considered a power bank.

While power banks can still be carried in hand luggage, they must be kept on the person, in a seat pocket, or under a seat. They are prohibited from being stored in overhead compartments.