A power bank exploded in a passenger's pocket at the Qantas business class lounge in Melbourne Airport, leading to the evacuation of approximately 150 people. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, causing burns to the man's leg and fingers and filling the lounge with smoke.
Key Takeaways
- A power bank exploded in a Qantas lounge at Melbourne Airport.
- Approximately 150 people were evacuated as a precaution.
- One passenger sustained burns to his leg and fingers.
- The lounge reopened after cleaning and assessment.
- Airlines are tightening restrictions on lithium-ion batteries.
Incident Details at Melbourne Airport
The incident unfolded in the international terminal of Melbourne Airport. A passenger was inside the Qantas business class lounge when a power bank he was carrying in his pocket unexpectedly ignited. The device overheated before exploding.
Emergency services responded quickly to the scene. Paramedics treated the injured man on site for burns to his leg and fingers. He was later transported to a hospital for further medical evaluation.
Quick Facts
- Location: Qantas Business Class Lounge, Melbourne Airport (International Terminal)
- Time: Thursday morning
- Evacuation: Approximately 150 people
- Injuries: One passenger with burns to leg and fingers
- Cause: Exploding power bank
Lounge Evacuation and Reopening
As a safety measure, about 150 individuals were evacuated from the lounge. The explosion generated smoke, prompting the immediate clearing of the area to ensure passenger safety.
A spokesperson for Qantas confirmed the evacuation. The airline collaborated with Melbourne Airport staff to clean the lounge thoroughly after the incident. The lounge has since resumed normal operations.
"We worked with the Melbourne airport to clean the lounge and it has since reopened," a Qantas spokesperson stated on Friday.
Airline Policies on Lithium-Ion Batteries
This event highlights ongoing concerns within the aviation industry regarding the safety of lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are common in many personal electronic devices, including power banks and mobility aids.
Airlines, including Qantas, have been implementing stricter regulations for carrying these batteries. The goal is to prevent similar incidents, particularly onboard aircraft where a fire could pose a significant risk.
Background on Battery Incidents
This is not an isolated incident. In July, Virgin Australia announced it was reviewing its battery policy after a fire on a flight from Sydney to Hobart. That incident was also believed to have been caused by a power bank located in a passenger's carry-on luggage.
Such events underscore the importance of passenger awareness and adherence to airline guidelines regarding portable electronic devices and their batteries.
Qantas Annual General Meeting Context
The power bank explosion occurred just one day before Qantas executives faced shareholders at their annual general meeting. Despite the incident, the meeting largely proceeded with optimism, and the company avoided a formal reprimand regarding executive pay.
Investor groups had previously threatened to vote against the remuneration report. This protest stemmed from a recent data breach affecting customer details. However, the opposition did not reach the threshold for a "first strike."
Shareholder Sentiment and Company Performance
A "first strike" occurs when more than 25% of votes are cast against executive pay plans. Two consecutive strikes can lead to a board spill, a mechanism designed to hold companies accountable for excessive pay rates or general shareholder discontent.
While Chairman John Mullen addressed various questions and some criticisms during the meeting, most shareholders expressed a positive outlook. They appeared confident that the airline had recovered from its previous reputational challenges two years prior.
In 2023, shareholders had strongly rejected Qantas's remuneration report. This led to a contentious annual general meeting where the then-chair, Richard Goyder, faced significant heckling.
One notable shareholder, Chris Maxworthy, who previously had his microphone cut off during a heated exchange with Goyder, spoke at the recent meeting. He praised the airline's improvements in staff morale and its renewed focus on customer experience.
"In the past two years… Qantas has come a long way," Maxworthy stated, acknowledging the airline's progress. Despite recommendations from governance group Glass Lewis to vote against executive pay due to the data breach, investors were reassured by Qantas's improved financial performance.
The airline's shares are currently trading at approximately $9.50, which is double their value during the lows of 2023. This financial rebound likely contributed to the positive sentiment among shareholders at the recent meeting, overshadowing the immediate concerns from the lounge incident and past data breaches.
