The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published new safety guidance warning that power banks and vapes are now the leading fire risks on aircraft. The regulator urges passengers to keep devices in hand luggage and never to charge them while in the seat. The move follows a surge in incidents involving lithium-ion batteries overheating, with many passengers unaware of the dangers.
The CAA advises that damaged or swollen batteries must not be brought on board and that vaping devices should be switched off during flight. The guidance is part of a wider effort to tackle in-flight fires, which can spread rapidly and threaten the safety of all on board. The authority also calls for clearer signage at airports and better enforcement of existing rules.
