Air New Zealand is facing calls for a boycott from Maori groups after applying to register the masthead of its 'Kia Ora' in-flight magazine as a trademark
Air New Zealand is facing calls for a boycott from Maori groups after applying to register the masthead of its 'Kia Ora' in-flight magazine as a trademark AFP / Peter PARKS

In a terribly scary incident at the Chicago Midway International Airport on Monday afternoon, a bag exploded while being boarded onto a Volaris outbound flight.

Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi wrote on Twitter that the explosion was caused by "a possible cell phone battery or battery charger."

The explosion occurred at Gate A2 at 12:20 p.m. and the police ordered a Level 1 hazmat situation. The incident was cleared by the Chicago Police Bomb and Arson Squad and operations successfully resumed around 2 p.m.

Volaris flight 943 was headed for Leon, Mexico when a luggage vehicle ran over the bag causing it to explode. Officials said the bag did emit a loud noise and smoke.

The police deemed "no public safety threat" and there were no injuries.

Transport Security Administration released a press statement: "A bag that had gone through screening and was being transported by the airline on the tarmac to an outgoing flight did emit a loud noise and smoke. Initial findings are that it may have been dragged by an aircraft tug and involved a camera battery."

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