A KLM flight en route to Curaçao was forced to return to Amsterdam on Thursday evening after a passenger’s powerbank caught fire.
Flight KL735 was five and a half hours into its trip when the electronic device started emitting smoke.
Crew members were able to extinguish the fire and no one was injured, a KLM spokesperson said.
This is the second time a KLM flight has been disrupted because of an incident with a powerbank. In August 2025, a device in an overhead storage bin caught fire during a flight to São Paulo, Brazil.
That flight was also forced backed to Amsterdam after the cabin filled with smoke. According to KLM, it was the first time a flight had been disrupted by a power bank catching fire.
Airlines have special rules for powerbanks to reduce the fire risk. Passengers may only bring two on board, with a capacity of 100 Wh or less. KLM bans travellers from storing powerbanks in the overhead bins and from charging them on board.
