Thick smoke appears on flight due to overheating battery; passengers warned

A Tianjin Airlines flight experienced a scare when thick smoke filled the cabin as the aircraft approached its destination. The incident, which occurred on the morning of June 15, was caused by a passenger's portable battery overheating and emitting smoke.

Passengers reported seeing "a lot of smoke" and smelling a strong odor, though no open flames were visible. Crew members quickly addressed the situation, making an announcement about a "fire situation in the cabin" and initiating fire-fighting procedures. Passengers were instructed to remain calm and not panic.

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There was really a lot of smoke. Of course, there were no open flames, but the smell was very strong.

Upon landing, passengers were initially told to leave the aircraft immediately without their luggage. They were later permitted to retrieve their belongings. A Tianjin Airlines representative confirmed that the crew detected the smoke promptly and followed established protocols. The airline stated that no one was injured and no damage occurred to the aircraft's equipment, with the plane safely reaching its destination.

The incident caused a delay of approximately 1 hour and 12 minutes. Tianjin Airlines reminded passengers to ensure their portable batteries meet all safety and certification standards before travel. The airline currently permits power banks in carry-on baggage but strictly prohibits them in checked luggage. This event highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices, particularly within the confined environment of an aircraft.

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There is a fire situation in the cabin. We are carrying out fire-fighting procedures. Please remain calm and do not panic.