The British aviation authority has issued an emergency ban on power banks and electronic cigarettes in aircraft cabins following a sharp increase in onboard fires. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) announced the prohibition late on Tuesday, citing 37 incidents in the past 12 months, a threefold increase from the previous year.
The ban, effective immediately, prohibits passengers from carrying lithium-ion battery-powered devices in hand luggage or using them during flights. The devices must be placed in checked baggage, where they can be isolated if they overheat. Airlines have been instructed to brief cabin crew on rapid response protocols for thermal runaway events, a phenomenon where batteries ignite and spread fire quickly.
Aviation safety analysts have long warned of the dangers posed by lithium-ion batteries in confined spaces. The International Air Transport Association recorded 107 battery-related incidents globally in 2024, up from 42 in 2020. The CAA's move follows a series of high-profile fires, including an event on a British Airways flight from Heathrow to Madrid in October, where a power bank ignited in an overhead locker, forcing an emergency landing.
Passengers will face penalties of up to £5,000 for non-compliance, and airlines may refuse boarding to those found carrying prohibited items in cabin baggage. The CAA has also recommended that manufacturers redesign power banks with built-in thermal fuses and that retailers display safety warnings at point of sale.
Industry reaction has been mixed. The British Airline Pilots' Association welcomed the ban as a necessary safety measure. However, consumer groups argue that the policy places an unfair burden on travellers who rely on portable power for work or medical devices. The CAA has clarified that medical equipment is exempt, provided it is declared at check-in and passed through security screening.
The ban is expected to remain in place pending a full review of battery safety standards in aviation, due to be completed by the end of the year.
