Passenger Set Alight in Airport Lounge Scare
A business class lounge at Melbourne Airport was thrown into chaos on Thursday morning when a passenger's power bank overheated and exploded in his pocket. The incident, which occurred in the Qantas lounge within the international terminal, resulted in the man suffering burns to his leg and fingers as the device ignited, filling the area with smoke.
Emergency services were quickly dispatched to the scene. Paramedics treated the injured man at the airport before he was transported to hospital for further assessment. Approximately 150 people were evacuated from the lounge as a precautionary measure following the alarming event.
Airline Response and Lounge Reopening
A Qantas spokesperson confirmed that the airline worked closely with Melbourne Airport staff to manage the situation. "We worked with the Melbourne airport to clean the lounge and it has since reopened," the representative stated on Friday. The swift action ensured that operations could return to normal with minimal disruption.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the safety of lithium-ion batteries on aircraft and in airport terminals. Many airlines, including Qantas, have already tightened restrictions on carrying such devices, particularly those found in mobility aids, to mitigate the risk of fires breaking out onboard.
Broader Context and Shareholder Meeting
The fire at the Qantas lounge took place just a day before the national carrier's annual general meeting. While investor groups had threatened to vote against the executive remuneration report in response to a recent customer data breach, the protest fell short of the 25% threshold required for a 'first strike'.
This outcome stands in contrast to the 2023 AGM, where shareholders delivered a stinging rebuke to management. At Friday's meeting, shareholder Chris Maxworthy, who was famously cut off by the previous chairman, praised the airline's improved focus on staff morale and customer service, noting that "Qantas has come a long way." The company's share price, now trading around $9.50, has also recovered significantly from its lows last year.
The Qantas incident follows a similar scare in July, when Virgin Australia said it was considering changes to its battery policy after a fire broke out on a flight from Sydney to Hobart, believed to have been caused by a power bank in a passenger's carry-on luggage.
