Power Banks and Vapes: The Biggest Fire Risk on Planes
Tuesday, 2026/06/30189 words3 minutes1563 reads
Flight passengers are being warned not to pack power banks or vapes in their hold luggage as the busy summer holiday period begins. Lithium batteries now represent the number one safety risk to aircraft, according to aviation authorities.
The Civil Aviation Authority reports that incidents involving lithium battery devices in hold bags nearly doubled from 316 in 2024 to 643 in 2025. Reports of devices overheating or malfunctioning also increased dramatically, from 123 to 206 during the same period. The average passenger now carries four different lithium-powered devices on flights.
These batteries can store enormous amounts of energy in small spaces, making them useful for laptops, vapes, power banks, phones, and smart watches. However, if they overheat or are defective, they can cause fires that spread quickly and are difficult to control. The main concern is that fires in the hold may not be discovered until it's too late.
Passengers are reminded to carry devices in the cabin, limit power banks to two per person, never charge them onboard, and completely turn off laptops in checked bags. Experts emphasize that substandard products from third-party sellers usually cause these problems.
