The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a stark warning to holidaymakers about the dangers of packing lithium-powered devices such as power banks and vapes in hold luggage. The number of incidents involving these items has nearly doubled in a year, with pilots reporting multiple cases and at least one flight diversion due to a fire caused by a power bank in the hold.
Rapid Increase in Incidents
Almost 650 incidents of batteries in hold bags were reported to the CAA last year, double the number from 2024. Reports of batteries overheating or malfunctioning also surged to 206. The CAA says two lithium battery incidents now occur every week, causing both danger and delays. The average person now takes four different lithium-powered devices on a flight, including laptops, vapes, power banks, mobile phones, and smart watches.
Fire Risk in the Hold
When batteries malfunction in the cabin, they can be detected and the fire dealt with. However, if a fire starts in the hold where luggage is stored, it may not be spotted until it is too late. Lithium battery fires are difficult to control and spread rapidly, making them the biggest safety risk to aircraft, according to the CAA.
Recent Incidents
Last month, an easyJet flight had to divert when a power bank packed in the hold caused a fire. In October, video spread online showing a fire aboard an Air China flight. Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said: "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."
CAA Reminders for Passengers
The CAA is reminding passengers to take items like mobile phones, vapes, and power banks on board in the cabin. Only two power banks per person are allowed on a flight, and they can never be charged onboard. If laptops are placed in check-in bags, they must be turned off completely. Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: "When these products are packed in your baggage, there is no access to them. So if something goes wrong, they can cause a really devastating fire that can have real dangerous consequences. It is really important that we make sure that we only bring safe, tested products with us on holiday."
