A former airline CEO set an aircraft alight after using a power bank midair against company rules.

Camiel Eurlings was travelling business class on his former airline, KLM, when he caused his flight to Curaçao to turn around over the Atlantic Ocean.

According to Nu.nl, Mr Eurlings, 53, had fallen asleep in his lie-flat bed while charging the power bank.

Witnesses reported the device suddenly exploded around five-and-half-hours into the flight, setting part of the cabin on fire.

The blaze was quickly extinguished by cabin crew and the plane returned to Schiphol airport in Amsterdam.

A former politician, Mr Eurlings led KLM between 2011 and 2014.

He had previously served as transport minister and as both a member of the Dutch House of Representatives and an MEP.

KLM allows passengers to take a maximum of two power banks on board, which cannot be stored in hold luggage or in overhead compartments.

Power banks must stay in the passenger’s sight and cannot be charged in-flight over fears they may catch fire while the plane is at 35,000ft.

Pictures of the aircraft following the incident showed the window next to Mr Eurling’s seat charred from the fire, with the closed blind covered in soot from the flames.

Another photo showed his power bank and phone charger completely burnt by the blaze.

KLM confirmed that one man sustained injuries from burns on the flight, but declined to say whether this was Mr Eurlings.

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