Aviation Regulator Warns Travellers as Lithium Battery Incidents Double
The Civil Aviation Authority has launched a major safety campaign ahead of the summer travel peak, urging passengers to keep power banks and vapes in cabin baggage after incidents nearly doubled in 2025.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched its "Pack Right for a Safe Flight" campaign as more than 60 million passengers prepare to travel through British airports this summer. The regulator is warning that lithium battery incidents on flights are now occurring at a rate of around two per week, with reports of overheating or malfunctioning devices nearly doubling between 2024 and 2025.
What the rules say
Passengers must carry all lithium battery-powered devices — including mobile phones, power banks, vapes and spare batteries — in cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. Travellers are limited to a maximum of two power banks per person, and charging devices during a flight is prohibited. Laptops placed in checked baggage must be completely powered off, not left in sleep mode.
Why it matters now
The CAA found that 36% of travellers remain unaware of the dangers of packing lithium batteries in hold luggage, despite the sharp rise in incidents. Cases involving incorrectly packed batteries in checked baggage increased by 91% in 2025. If a lithium battery overheats or catches fire in an aircraft hold, it is significantly harder for crew to detect and extinguish than in the cabin.
Whether you're a visitor leaving the UK or a resident heading abroad this summer, make sure power banks, vapes and spare batteries stay in your hand luggage. The average passenger now travels with four lithium-powered devices, and incorrect packing can delay flights or create serious safety risks. Check your airline's specific guidance before you travel, and never charge a power bank mid-flight.
Sources
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