Shanghai, November 19 - On November 18, 2025, Air China Flight CA139, a scheduled Boeing 777 service from Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK) to Shanghai Hongqiao International Airport (SHA), was forced to divert to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG) after a lithium battery in a passenger’s carry-on luggage ignited inside an overhead bin, triggering smoke in the cabin roughly 40 minutes after takeoff.
The incident occurred at cruising altitude when crew members noticed a burning smell followed by visible smoke emanating from an overhead compartment in the economy section. Flight attendants immediately deployed fire extinguishers and containment bags specifically designed for thermal runaway events involving lithium-ion batteries. Passengers in nearby rows were relocated forward while the crew successfully suppressed the flames. The captain declared an emergency and requested priority handling for an immediate diversion to the nearest suitable airport, which was confirmed as Shanghai Pudong rather than the original destination Hongqiao.
The aircraft, registration B-2047, landed safely on runway 35L at Pudong at approximately 10:15 local time without further incident. All 312 passengers and 16 crew members disembarked normally via jet bridges. Firefighters and hazardous-materials teams boarded the plane to inspect the affected overhead bin and remove the damaged power bank, which authorities later identified as the source of the fire. No injuries were reported, though several passengers required evaluation for minor smoke inhalation.
China’s Civil Aviation Administration (CAAC) and Air China have launched parallel investigations into the event, focusing on compliance with existing regulations that limit spare lithium batteries to 100 watt-hours and require them to be carried in carry-on rather than checked baggage. The incident has reignited global discussions about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries on aircraft, prompting renewed calls from aviation safety bodies for stricter screening and passenger awareness campaigns. Flight CA139 was canceled for the day, and affected passengers were rebooked on later services. The aircraft remains grounded at Pudong pending a detailed technical inspection.
