The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a fresh warning to passengers ahead of the busiest flying day of the year, urging them to pack electronic devices correctly to avoid flight delays and safety risks. With schools breaking up across England and Wales, thousands will depart from airports including Manchester.
30 million passengers expected
The UK aviation regulator predicts 30 million passengers will leave the UK in July and August. Passengers carry an average of four lithium-powered devices each, meaning millions of rechargeable gadgets take to the skies daily, including over four million over the UK on an average day and nearly 30 million each week.
Items such as power banks must not be placed in checked-in luggage but taken into the cabin as hand luggage to enable swift action if they overheat. Incorrectly packed lithium batteries are increasingly causing delays and cancellations due to bags being off-loaded. If a fire breaks out onboard, flights may be rerouted or evacuated.
Specific rules for power banks
Power banks are limited to two per person and must never be recharged on board the aircraft as it could increase fire risk. Passengers are urged to check with their airline for additional restrictions.
Already this summer, incidents have caused flight diversions and safety risks from smoking checked baggage due to incorrectly packed lithium batteries. CAA data shows reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices have nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025. Globally, there are now two lithium battery incidents each week, with two occurring on UK-bound flights in recent weeks.
Official advice
Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “The only thing that should be running hot on your summer holiday is the weather, not a power bank in your suitcase. As millions of people prepare to travel this summer, packing your devices correctly is an important part of flying safely.
“Power banks, vapes and spare lithium batteries should always be carried in the cabin, not packed in checked baggage. Pack right for a safe flight and help reduce the risk of delays, diversions and safety risks this summer.”
The CAA urges passengers to pack the following items in cabin bags: power banks, vapes, Bluetooth speakers, electric fans, fitness watches, digital cameras, tablets and e-readers, wireless headphones, smartwatches, and laptops.
Check for damage before travel
Passengers should check electrical items for signs of damage before traveling. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Lithium-ion batteries power many of the gadgets we can't live without, from mobile phones and laptops to power banks and wireless headphones. But whilst they’re small, they pack a lot of energy, meaning they can pose a serious fire risk on an aircraft if they’re damaged or poorly made.
“Before you head to the airport, give your devices a quick once-over. If a battery is bulging, swelling, changing shape, overheating or showing any other signs of damage, don’t take the risk. Instead, safely dispose of it as soon as possible at a local recycling centre with dedicated facilities for electronics and batteries and never put it in your general waste.
“Battery safety starts before you even step foot on an aircraft, starting with where you shop. When shopping for your summer getaway, the best way to protect yourself and those around you is to stick to a reputable high street retailer you know and trust to ensure your power bank or any other lithium-ion battery product you're taking away with you is safe.”
