Growing Concerns Over Power Banks on Flights
Power banks are increasingly causing serious problems on flights worldwide, the UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned, urging passengers to familiarize themselves with the regulations governing their use.
The CAA emphasized that portable chargers carry significant risks, including overheating and potential fires, necessitating greater public awareness.
CAA's Call for Compliance with Safety Rules
Jonathan Nicholson from the CAA explained to that restrictions such as prohibiting power banks in checked luggage are not arbitrary measures but essential safety precautions. He urged passengers to "do the right thing" by adhering to these rules.
This warning follows an incident involving a UK-bound EasyJet flight that was diverted to Rome after a passenger packed a power bank in the hold.
International Rules for Power Banks
Nicholson outlined the "basic set of international rules" that all passengers must follow regarding power banks, emphasizing their importance for flight safety.
The CAA plans to launch a campaign this summer in collaboration with UK airlines to educate holidaymakers and business travelers about these regulations and their rationale.
EasyJet Flight Diversion Incident
Last week, EasyJet flight EZY2618 from Hurghada, Egypt, to London Luton was diverted to Rome Fiumicino as a precaution after a passenger informed crew members about a portable charger stored in the aircraft's hold.
Passengers were required to stay overnight in Rome before continuing to London on a rescheduled flight the following day.
"It is absolutely a rule that can make a difference," Nicholson said.
"I wouldn't want to be the passenger who packed it in the wrong place and ended up with all the other passengers in the wrong city because the flight was diverted."
Rising Incidents and Safety Data
Nicholson noted that incidents involving power banks are "certainly on the rise" as their popularity grows, alongside devices like vapes, which are also prohibited in checked luggage.
He referenced data released in June by UL Standards & Engagement, a US-based non-profit safety organization, indicating an average of two flights per week in 2024 experiencing "thermal runaway incidents"—cases where lithium-ion batteries overheat, posing serious fire hazards.
The data, collected through voluntary reports from 37 passenger and cargo airlines, covers all rechargeable devices with lithium-ion batteries, including power banks, phones, tablets, and laptops.
Between 2019, when data collection began, and 2024, there was a 15% increase in such incidents.
Passenger Awareness Survey
A CAA survey conducted in November 2025 of 1,000 UK passengers found that over one-third were aware of lithium batteries and the existence of related rules but were uncertain about the specific regulations. Passengers over 55 years old generally had better knowledge of the rules.
Risks and Precautions with Power Banks
Explaining the strictness of the rules, Nicholson stated that compared to devices like digital cameras and laptops, "power banks have a much bigger battery, much stronger and get a lot hotter."
"These things, when they catch fire, they go - they really go - they are big, big issues and big fires," he added, noting that cabin crew are trained to handle such emergencies.
He advised passengers to exercise caution with power banks not only during flights but also in daily use.
"I mean, I look after my mobile phone probably better than I do my power bank. Power banks tend to be things like, 'oh yeah, let's take the power bank, throw it in the bag, bash it around and that kind of thing'... and they probably take a lot more damage."
Nicholson recommended investing in high-quality power banks, warning that many low-quality or replacement batteries carry higher risks.
Airline Policies on Portable Chargers
While airline rules vary slightly, they generally require passengers to keep portable chargers in bags under the seat rather than in overhead compartments.
