An Air China flight safely diverted to Shanghai on Saturday after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage ignited, prompting a swift crew response that averted injuries.
The incident occurred aboard flight CA139, which was en route from Hangzhou, China, to Incheon International Airport near Seoul, South Korea. The aircraft landed without further issue at Shanghai Pudong International Airport.
Air China confirmed the battery, stored in an overhead compartment, spontaneously ignited. The airline stated on Chinese social media platform Weibo that its crew immediately managed the situation according to established procedures.
No passengers or crew members sustained any injuries during the event. The diversion was carried out specifically “to ensure flight safety,” according to the carrier.
Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft departed Hangzhou at 01:47 UTC. It flew over the sea, approximately midway between China’s eastern coast and Japan’s Kyushu island, before landing in Shanghai shortly after 03:00 UTC.