Regulator warning as nearly 200,000 high risk batteries to fly through Northern Irish airports this weekend

Ahead of the big summer getaway, where nearly one million people are expected to be flying, the Civil Aviation Authority is telling all passengers to “pack right for a safe flight” by taking their batteries in the cabin with them.

This is the start of a summer campaign in which the aviation regulator works with airlines and airports to raise passenger awareness of the dangers posed by everyday electrical items packed in the wrong place.

Passengers are being told to:

• Take items like mobile phones, vapes and power banks onboard with you
• Never charge a power bank on a flight
• Turn off laptops completely if they’re being checked in with baggage

Getting it wrong could lead to your bags being removed from the flight, causing significant delays or, worse, a fire that may be impossible to contain.

Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

• “Flying is by far the safest way to travel and we want to keep it that way.
• “Northern Irish passengers must pack right for a safe flight, and that means don’t put your batteries in your checked bag. Take them onboard with you.
• “This simple tip will make your flight safer for you, and the other passengers you’re flying with.”

The warning comes as new data reveals the scale of the risk, with lithium battery incidents now occurring at around two per week. Civil Aviation Authority figures show reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices nearly doubled between 2024 and 2025, following a 98% year-on-year increase. Cases of lithium battery-powered devices being incorrectly packed in checked baggage also rose by 91% in 2025.

Despite this, passenger awareness remains low. Over a third (36%) of travellers are unaware of the dangers of packing batteries in checked baggage, even though 92% fly with a mobile phone, 55% with a laptop and 49% with a power bank – suggesting hundreds of batteries could be incorrectly packed on a typical flight.

Power banks and vapes are among the highest-risk items and must always be taken into the cabin with you.

You cannot fly with more than two power banks.
You must never charge the power bank itself onboard the aircraft, but you may be able to charge other devices from the power bank – check with the airline beforehand or on our website caa. co. uk.
You can also ask the cabin crew on the flight.

Gareth Salt, Vice President of Health, Safety and Security at Virgin Atlantic, said:

• “Ahead of our peak summer travel season at Virgin Atlantic, it’s really important that customers know the guidance for lithium battery-powered devices, including power banks and vapes, and pack them correctly.
• “We’re proud to support the CAA’s ‘Pack Right for a Safe Flight’ campaign, helping to raise awareness of the simple steps customers can take to reduce risk and ensure every journey is as safe and enjoyable as possible.”

Tim Alderslade, Chief Executive of Airlines UK, said:

• “UK airlines support this important campaign. Flying is the safest form of travel but as the number of electronic devices we use increases, the risk of lithium battery incidents is a growing challenge.
• “Whilst pilots and cabin crew are trained to deal with any situation the best outcome is always prevention, which starts when passengers pack their bags.
• “Electronic devices like tablets, power banks and vapes belong in your hand luggage, not the hold. We’d urge every passenger heading away this summer to take a moment to check before they zip up their bag.”

Karen Dee, Chief Executive of AirportsUK, said:

• “Everyone in aviation is working hard to ensure that passengers are aware of the rules around the packing of rechargeable batteries and that we can all fly off on our summer holidays safely.
• “Through the AirportsUK health and safety working group and in our work with the CAA, we have developed a clear message: travellers must bring any rechargeable batteries they wish to take on their holidays with them into the cabin.
• “We want everyone to be able to enjoy their summer holidays and to do that, we should all pack right for a safe flight.”