The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a fresh safety warning to Scottish holidaymakers and all airline passengers: keep power banks out of hold luggage. These devices, widely used to charge phones and electronics, contain lithium batteries that can cause fierce, rapidly spreading fires if faulty.
CAA Warning Ahead of Summer Peak
The CAA's warning comes just before the summer peak travel season. The authority also advises against charging power banks while on board a flight. Cabin fires are easier for crews to tackle than those in the hold, so most UK airlines now require power banks in cabin luggage, with some restricting use entirely.
Recent Incident Highlights Risk
Last month, an EasyJet flight from Egypt to London Luton was forced to divert to Rome after a passenger reported a power bank in the hold. The diversion was a precaution to follow safety regulations. The CAA revealed that reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices nearly doubled last year compared to 2024. Cases of lithium battery devices incorrectly stowed in hold luggage rose by 91% over the same period.
Passenger Awareness Low
CAA director of aviation safety Giancarlo Buono said: "Pack right for a safe flight, and that means don't put your batteries in your checked bag. Take them into the cabin with you. This simple tip will make your flight safer for you, and the other passengers you're flying with." A passenger survey found that 36% of travellers are unaware of the hazards of packing batteries in checked baggage. The research also showed people bring an average of four lithium-powered devices on trips, potentially over 2,000 on a busy Airbus A380 flight.
Industry Concerns
Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, described lithium batteries as "a growing challenge" for aviation. "Whilst pilots and cabin crew are trained to deal with any situation, the best outcome is always prevention, which starts when passengers pack their bags," he said. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at charity Electrical Safety First, warned that power banks "can pose a serious fire risk if they become damaged or are manufactured to a substandard level."
