Lithium-ion batteries in power banks and vaping devices have emerged as the leading fire hazard on commercial aircraft, according to a new international safety assessment. The report, published jointly by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, identifies these portable energy sources as the primary cause of in-flight fires over the past five years. British carriers, however, are already operating under more stringent regulations that exceed the baseline requirements of the new global framework.
The analysis examined 145 incidents between 2019 and 2024, finding that power banks and e-cigarettes accounted for 62 per cent of all battery-related fires. The remainder involved laptops, tablets and spare phone batteries. In most cases, the fires were caused by thermal runaway, a process in which a short circuit or physical damage triggers a rapid, uncontrollable increase in temperature.
The United Kingdom’s Civil Aviation Authority requires all lithium-ion batteries carried in cabin baggage to be individually protected against short circuits, with terminals either taped over or placed in original retail packaging. Vaping devices must be carried on the person and are prohibited from being placed in hold luggage. These rules were implemented in 2021, two years before the EASA’s updated guidance and four years ahead of the ICAO’s current recommendation.
British airlines have also adopted additional voluntary measures. British Airways requires that power banks be kept in passengers’ pockets or in seat-back pouches rather than in overhead bins. easyJet and Ryanair advise crew to stock fire-containment bags for immediate use. The UK’s aviation regulator has called for these practices to become part of the global standard.
The new global framework, due to be ratified at the ICAO’s triennial assembly in October 2025, will require airlines to carry fire-resistant containers for storing overheating batteries. It also mandates that cabin crew receive enhanced training on how to identify and contain battery fires, including the use of thermal imaging devices for early detection.
Manufacturers are expected to face stricter testing requirements. The proposed rules would require power banks to pass a crush test simulating the forces experienced during an emergency landing, and for vape devices to include a pressure-relief valve to prevent explosion. The UK’s existing compliance with these measures has been described by the CAA as a ‘modest head start’ but industry experts caution against complacency.
‘The speed at which lithium-ion battery technology evolves means today’s best practices may be obsolete within a decade,’ said Dr. Helen Faulkner, a safety researcher at the University of Manchester. ‘The UK’s advantage is in its regulatory agility. But that advantage must be maintained through continual investment in both technology and training.’
The report also highlights a growing concern over counterfeit batteries. A separate study by the UK’s Trading Standards authority found that 40 per cent of power banks sold online during the past year failed safety tests. The CAA has urged passengers to buy only from reputable retailers and to avoid unknown brands when purchasing replacement batteries for electronic devices.
For the travelling public, the message is clear: pack smart, fly safe. The UK’s aviation sector, already a global leader in safety, is positioning itself to remain ahead of the curve as the world adopts stricter rules against the silent threat in carry-on luggage.
