UK aviation lithium battery safety guidelines

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a safety checklist for passengers ahead of a high-volume travel period, noting that nearly three million passengers were expected to fly across England and Wales. The regulator highlighted that while awareness of travel rules has increased, approximately 31% of passengers still incorrectly believe lithium battery items can be placed in checked luggage.

Following these safety concerns, guidelines from Heathrow Airport and IATA emphasize that power banks, spare lithium batteries, and vaping devices must be kept in carry-on baggage to mitigate the risk of thermal runaway. Keeping these items in the cabin allows crew to manage incidents more effectively than if they occur in the aircraft hold.

Regulations regarding battery capacity are typically measured in watt-hours (Wh). Under IATA guidance, passengers are generally permitted to carry up to two power banks rated at 100 Wh or less in cabin baggage. Batteries between 100 Wh and 160 Wh may require prior airline approval, while those exceeding 160 Wh are typically prohibited on commercial passenger flights.