CAA reminds passengers about power bank rules in bid to minimise flight delays

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is reminding passengers to correctly pack power banks and vapes to avoid flight delays this summer.

The regulator, which recently unveiled a campaign raising awareness of the fire risk posed by lithium battery-powered devices, has issued a message to travellers as schools in England and Wales break up for summer.

Giancarlo Buono, director of aviation safety at the CAA, said: “Power banks, vapes and spare lithium batteries should always be carried in the cabin, not packed in checked baggage.”

He added: “Pack right for a safe flight and help reduce the risk of delays, diversions and safety risks this summer.”

The regulator is expecting 550,000 people to fly on Friday (July 24), making it the busiest day of the year, with the number of electric devices in the skies above the UK estimated as up to five million.

Incorrectly packed lithium batteries are increasingly causing delays and cancellations because of bags having to be off-loaded, the CAA said.

It listed the items most commonly overlooked as power banks, vapes, Bluetooth speakers, electric fans, fitness watches, digital cameras, tablets and e-readers, wireless headphones, smartwatches and laptops.

Giuseppe Capanna, product safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Lithium-ion batteries power many of the gadgets we can’t live without, from mobile phones and laptops to power banks and wireless headphones.

“But while they’re small, they pack a lot of energy, meaning they can pose a serious fire risk on an aircraft if they’re damaged or poorly made.

“Before you head to the airport, give your devices a quick once-over. If a battery is bulging, swelling, changing shape, overheating or showing any other signs of damage, don’t take the risk. Instead, safely dispose of it as soon as possible at a local recycling centre with dedicated facilities for electronics and batteries and never put it in your general waste.

“Battery safety starts before you even step foot on an aircraft, starting with where you shop. 

“When shopping for your summer getaway, the best way to protect yourself and those around you is to stick to a reputable high street retailer you know and trust to ensure your power bank or any other lithium-ion battery product you’re taking away with you is safe.”

The maximum number of power banks that a person can fly with is two and the devices must never be charged on board.

The CAA said figures show reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices doubled between 2024 and 2025.

Globally, there are two lithium battery incidents each week, the regulator said, with two taking place on UK-bound flights in recent weeks.

The CAA has predicted 30 million passengers will leave the UK in July and August, carrying an average of four lithium-powered devices each.