Lithium batteries-induced cabin fire put airline safety again under scrutiny

Lithium batteries — whether in laptops, smartphones, power banks, or e-cigarettes — pose serious safety risks when carried by air passengers, especially if mishandled or packed incorrectly.Two recent incidents involving lithium batteries catching fire on passenger flights in India and China have raised fresh concerns over airline safety.With fires occurring in both seat pockets and overhead bins, questions are emerging about whether even cabin storage is fully secure for electronic devices.Lithium batteries, commonly found in phones, laptops, and power banks, can overheat or spontaneously combust if damaged or short-circuited.These risks led aviation regulators worldwide to ban lithium batteries in checked baggage in 2016, after a series of cargo fires.Airlines now advise passengers to carry such devices in the cabin, where crew members can respond immediately in case of a fire.However, recent fires on airline cabins raise questions about passenger safety, as even cabin storage is not completely risk-free.The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has logged dozens of fires this year alone involving phones, laptops, e-cigarettes, and power banks, all legal to carry on board.The FAA has recorded over 450 lithium battery-related incidents on US aircraft (2010–2024) — roughly one every week worldwide when including unreported cases.Most incidents involve power banks, e-cigarettes, and laptops in cabin baggage.With risks present in both the cargo hold and the cabin, the challenge of safely transporting lithium batteries remains a pressing concern for airlines and passengers alike.Meanwhile, the risk of on-board fires triggered by power banks is now prompting airlines to update guidelines on how passengers can use them in flight, and urge customers to keep battery-powered accessories within reach for better vigilance.The shifting policy on power banks comes as UAE airline Emirates recently imposed an outright ban on their use on its fleet and restricted the number that can be brought on-board to one.With air travel rebounding and technology playing a more significant role in everyday life, passengers are obviously flying with more battery-powered devices than ever.In response to this growing trend, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a global campaign titled ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’ to improve awareness and safety practices related to carrying lithium-powered devices onboard aircraft."Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s senior VP, Operations, Safety and Security.Careen noted, "As more travellers fly with these devices, our campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind when travelling with the electronic devices that have become an essential part of their daily lives.”Industry experts say lithium batteries can catch fire or explode if damaged, short-circuited, or exposed to heat.A damaged or defective cell can enter thermal runaway — a chain reaction where the battery overheats uncontrollably and ignites nearby cells.In an aircraft, this can quickly spread smoke and fire in a confined space, posing a major threat to passengers and crew.Batteries packed in checked luggage are inaccessible during flight, so a fire in the cargo hold could go undetected.For this reason, most airlines now prohibit spare lithium batteries in checked baggage — they insist that these must be carried in cabin luggage.Modern lithium batteries store large amounts of energy in compact form. When this energy is suddenly released (eg, by puncture, overcharging, or manufacturing defect), experts say, it can cause violent ignition or explosion.Cheap or counterfeit lithium batteries, which are flooded in the market, often lack proper safety features (like thermal protection or venting).These are much more prone to failure and are a common source of in-flight incidents, experts point out.Lithium batteries, though indispensable, must be handled with utmost care to prevent in-flight fires and protect passengers and crew. Therefore, adherence to safety guidelines and proactive awareness remain essential to mitigating these risks.Pratap John is Business Editor at Gulf Times. X handle: @PratapJohn.