KLM flight KL735 returned to Amsterdam Schiphol after a power bank caught fire in the cabin during a long-haul service to Curaçao. The Boeing 777 turned back over the Atlantic after cabin crew extinguished the blaze, and one passenger suffered minor burns. The aircraft landed back at Schiphol after about 5.5 hours in the air, with passengers later rebooked on alternative services.
The incident adds to airline concerns over lithium batteries in the cabin, particularly on oceanic sectors where diversion options are limited. KLM already bars the use and charging of power banks during flight and places restrictions on how they are carried onboard. Dutch and international media also linked the device to former KLM chief Camiel Eurlings, although the airline did not confirm the identity of the passenger involved for privacy reasons.