UK Civil Aviation Authority warns of lithium‑battery fire risk on flights

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a new safety campaign ahead of the summer travel rush, warning that lithium‑battery powered devices such as power banks and vapes pose the highest fire risk to aircraft. Reports of batteries in checked luggage rose 91 % in a year, with the CAA recording about 650 incidents in 2025 – roughly two per week – and more than 200 cases of overheating or malfunctioning devices.

Passengers are urged to keep all lithium‑battery items in cabin baggage, limit power banks to two per person, never charge them onboard and ensure devices are fully switched off before stowing. Airline operators Ryanair, easyJet and TUI have reinforced similar rules, and an easyJet flight was diverted after a power bank was found in the hold. The CAA estimates that an Airbus A380 could carry over 2,000 such devices on a full flight, and 36 % of travellers are still unaware of the danger. CAA aviation‑safety director Giancarlo Buono said, “Pack right for a safe flight – don’t put your batteries in your checked bag.”