Latest news with #MattCocker
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Fire on Virgin Australia flight: Blaze erupts mid-air on Sydney–Hobart route likely caused by power bank; airlines to review battery policies
A suspected fire triggered by a power bank in carry-on luggage forced emergency response aboard a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Hobart on Monday, prompting the airline to review its lithium battery policies. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The incident occurred during descent on Flight VA1528, when smoke and flames were seen emanating from an overhead locker. Battery fire on Virgin flight from Sydney | Sunrise Cabin crew swiftly extinguished the fire before the aircraft landed safely. Upon arrival, firefighters removed the affected bag from the compartment. No injuries to passengers or the flight crew was reported according to Virgin Australia, who issued a statement, quoted by The Guardian saying, 'The safety of our guests and crew is always our highest priority, and we commend our cabin crew for their quick action in containing the event. We would also like to thank the emergency services teams who met the aircraft upon arrival.' Matt Cocker, the Chief Operating Officer of Hobart Airport, stated that all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft and one person was assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. The airline is now investigating the cause of the fire in coordination with the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (Casa). Virgin Australia indicated that the incident may lead to changes in its battery safety protocols. Currently, lithium-ion batteries, including power banks and spare batteries, are restricted to carry-on baggage. Casa has long advised passengers about the risks associated with lithium-powered devices, which can overheat, short-circuit, or ignite. Casa warns that 'lithium battery fires can be difficult to extinguish' and says that typical Australian travellers now carry at least four rechargeable battery-powered devices. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The agency has also clarified that while items like laptops or cameras may be stored in checked luggage if completely powered off, loose batteries and power banks must remain in cabin bags. According to Casa, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recorded a 92 per cent increase in lithium battery-related incidents between 2020 and 2022. The Hobart incident follows a January fire aboard an Air Busan Airbus in South Korea, which led to the full evacuation of 176 passengers and crew. Investigators attributed that fire, which destroyed the aircraft, to a malfunctioning power bank. In response to growing concerns, several airlines, including Singapore Airlines, have introduced stricter rules. Singapore Airlines now bans power bank usage entirely during flights. Meanwhile, Virgin Australia said that it will 'review its policies regarding the carriage of lithium battery-powered devices' to ensure enhanced safety for all travellers.
New York Post
6 days ago
- General
- New York Post
Fire breaks out mid-air and fills cabin with smoke on Virgin Australia flight
This is the horrifying moment a fire erupted mid-air on a Virgin Australia flight bound for Tasmania. Flight VA158, which departed from Sydney on Monday morning, had begun its descent into Hobart just after 9am when smoke began filling the cabin of the Boeing 737-8FE. Advertisement According to witnesses on board, the crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Footage of the incident shows passengers scrambling to the back of the plane as a distressed flight attendant yells: 'All the way down to the back guys, keep moving, quicker.' 3 The crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery engulfed in flames. Pulse Tasmania Another clip shows passengers passing bottles of water to a crew member as they attempt to contain the blaze. Advertisement Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully with water bottles after initial attempts with on-board fire extinguishes were unsuccessful. According to Pulse Tasmania, passengers described a moment of panic and were told not to film the incident by staff. Once the flight had safely landed in Hobart, Airservices Australia firefighters boarded the plane and removed the bag containing the battery. Advertisement Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker told Pulse that one person had received medical attention by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. 3 Witnesses reveal that cabin crew were eventually able to extinguish the fire successfully. Helena Bilkova – 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. In a statement to Virgin ensured flight and cabin crew were checked over by paramedics as a precaution and subsequently cleared. Advertisement 'VA1528 from Sydney to Hobart landed safely at Hobart Airport yesterday (Monday) following a fire in an overhead locker during descent. 'The fire was extinguished by Virgin Australia cabin crew prior to landing. Airservices Australia firefighters attended the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker. All guests disembarked the aircraft, as per standard operating procedures. 3 Passengers were passing bottles of water to a crew member to try and extinguish the flames. Pulse Tasmania 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' they said. A replacement aircraft was sourced for the return flight for Sydney and Virgin's guest contact center is in the process of checking in with guests seated in the surrounding rows. The incident comes after a passenger plane in South Korea caught fire earlier this year, leaving three people with minor injuries. Local authorities believe a portable power bank likely caused the fire that destroyed the plane.
Sky News AU
22-07-2025
- General
- Sky News AU
Horror as fire erupts on Sydney to Hobart Virgin Australia flight, causing major panic onboard with one passenger receiving medical attention
Passengers onboard a Virgin Australia plane from Sydney to Tasmania were temporarily thrown into panic after a fire broke out mid-flight. Flight VA1528 was beginning its descent into Hobart about 9am on Monday when the fire started in an overhead locker, filling the cabin with smoke. Passengers reported smelling the smoke ten minutes before the plane landed. Witnesses onboard told Pulse Tasmania flight crew opened an overhead compartment and discovered a lithium battery on fire inside a bag, while passengers described seeing flames leap out of the locker. Several passengers reportedly jumped out of their seats in panic as voices could be heard in recorded footage yelling: "All the way down the back, keep moving quicker." Flight attendants also instructed passengers not to film the fire as it unfolded, witnesses reported. Initial attempts at putting out the fire with onboard extinguishers were unsuccessful, the outlet reported. Cabin crew then doused the overhead compartment with water, eventually putting out the flames. Airport firefighters removed the smouldering battery from the Boeing 737-8FE cabin once the plane landed safely. Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker said one person received medical treatment for suspected smoke inhalation. 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. Paramedics also checked over flight and cabin crew as a precaution. 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. No other flights at Hobart Airport were impacted by the fire, but the replacement aircraft for the return flight was delayed by five hours.
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Terrifying moment fire erupts inside a plane cabin in mid-air as panicked passengers rush to help the flight crew
Passengers have been left terrified after a fire broke out in an overhead locker on a Virgin Australia flight landing in Tasmania. Flight VA1528, which departed Sydney this morning, had begun its descent into Hobart around 9am when smoke began filling the Boeing 737-8FE cabin. Witnesses believe a lithium battery in the overhead luggage compartment was to blame, although the airline has yet to confirm the cause of the fire. In shocking footage, smoke can be seen escaping from the overheard luggage compartment as the crew sprang into action. The crew opened the locker to discover a lithium battery on fire with passengers revealing they saw flames leap out of the compartment when it was opened. Initial attempts to control the flames with an onboard fire extinguisher were reportedly unsuccessful. Cabin crew eventually extinguished the fire with water. Passengers can be seen jumping out of the seats in the alarming footage, obtained by Pulse Tasmania, of the incident as the fire was discovered by the crew. Once the flight had landed in Hobart, airport firefighters boarded the plane and removed the bag containing the battery. Hobart Airport COO Matt Cocker said one person received medical attention by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. 'The outbound Virgin flight back to Sydney is currently delayed, however all other operations at Hobart Airport are running as usual,' he said. Virgin Australia confirmed flight and cabin crew were checked over by paramedics as a precaution before being given the all-clear. 'Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters,' a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. A replacement aircraft was found for the return flight, which was delayed by about five hours, while the Boeing 737-8FE aircraft was assessed for damage. No other flights at Hobart Airport were impacted by the fire. Sam McCambridge, who works for a rental car company at Hobart Airport, said two different groups of passengers told him cabin crew extinguished a fire after realising 'a lithium battery or some sort of charging device had caught fire in someone's bag'.
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- General
- Perth Now
Fire breaks out onboard Virgin flight in landing drama
Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of a fire that broke out in a plane's overhead locker. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of a fire that broke out in a plane's overhead locker. (James Gourley/AAP PHOTOS) Credit: AAP Cabin crew on a domestic flight have been forced to swiftly contain a fire that broke out in an overhead compartment. Virgin Australia flight VA1528 was travelling from Sydney to Hobart when smoke began to appear in the cabin shortly before landing. Crews opened an overhead compartment and discovered a fire, using water and a fire extinguisher to bring it under control. The flight landed safely on Monday morning at Hobart Airport. Firefighters met the aircraft once it landed and removed a bag from the overhead locker, a Virgin Australia spokesperson said. "Safety is always our highest priority. We appreciate the swift and professional response of our flight and cabin crew, as well as the support of Airservices Australia firefighters," the spokesperson said. The aircraft is being assessed for damage to the overhead locker and a replacement aircraft was sourced for a return flight to Sydney. Hobart Airport chief operating officer Matt Cocker said all passengers safely disembarked the aircraft, with one person assessed by paramedics for suspected smoke inhalation. Virgin Australia has not confirmed the cause of the fire.
