SWISS diverted flight LX52 from Zurich to Boston to Dublin after smoke developed on board and was traced to a power bank. The aircraft landed safely with 206 passengers and crew on board, and passengers were accommodated overnight in a hotel while the airline arranged onward travel.
The incident occurred on Sunday, and SWISS later confirmed that the aircraft would be inspected before returning to service. The flight had departed Zurich Airport on its transatlantic route when the crew requested a priority landing in Dublin after smoke was detected in the cabin.
The case comes after a second battery-related disruption for the carrier in a short period, adding to industry concern over the risks posed by portable lithium batteries in the cabin. SWISS has already prohibited the use of power banks onboard since the start of the year, although passengers may still carry up to two devices and are not permitted to charge them during the flight.