The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a stark warning to millions of air passengers about the growing threat of lithium batteries on aircraft. Commonly found in power banks, vapes and mobile phones, these rechargeable batteries pose a significant fire risk that could become unmanageable if packed in the hold.
As part of its 'Pack right for a safe flight' campaign, the CAA highlights that approximately two lithium-battery-related incidents disrupt flights each week. Figures from the regulator show a near-doubling of overheating passenger device incidents between 2024 and 2025, alongside a 91% rise in cases of lithium battery-powered devices being incorrectly packed in checked baggage.
Passengers are advised to carry mobile phones, vapes and power banks on board with them. Crucially, they are prohibited from charging power banks during a flight. The CAA estimates that on a busy Airbus A380 flight, over 2,000 lithium-powered devices could be on board if each passenger carried four.
Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the CAA, stresses the importance of these guidelines: "Flying is by far the safest way to travel and we want to keep it that way. Pack right for a safe flight and don't put your batteries in your checked bag." He also reminds passengers to turn off laptops in hold luggage.
Airlines UK Chief Executive Tim Alderslade echoes the CAA's message, urging all passengers to check their luggage contents carefully before flying this summer to ensure devices like tablets, power banks and vapes are in hand luggage. Failure to comply could result in bags being removed from flights, causing significant delays for passengers, or even a fire that could be impossible to contain mid-flight.