Lithium Battery Fires on Planes

In light of the lithium fire that recently broke out on Easyjet flight U2-8216, Adam Ewart from Send My Bag has shared advice on items that are restricted by lithium battery regulations on transporting luggage. 

He explains:

• What electronic items you are allowed to travel with

• The most dangerous electronic items to travel with and why

• How you can pack electronic items

• How to transport electronic items

“Lithium batteries are essential for powering everyday devices, but they can pose serious safety risks when not handled properly, particularly during air travel. With the majority of travellers carrying items that contain lithium batteries, from small items that might be carried on your person such as e-cigarettes and smartphones to larger ones like laptops, it’s crucial to understand the regulations for transporting them.

“The recent EasyJet flight evacuation was the result of a fire caused by a power bank and an e-cigarette in a passenger’s handbag emitting smoke and eventually a small explosion. Fortunately this event didn’t result in any injuries, but it brings to light the hazards of transporting lithium battery powered devices.

“Most airlines do not have a limit on the number of electronic devices that passengers can bring on board, however there are strict regulations on how you transport them. Lithium battery powered devices as well as power banks and spare batteries should be always carried in hand luggage so that cabin crews can control the situation quickly and effectively. To reassure worried travellers, cabin crew are trained in the use of fire containment bags to hold devices that are overheating so that the flight can continue.

“There are heightened risks from using off brand accessories such as chargers with electronic devices as they may lead to them more easily overheating. There is also an increased risk if the battery or device is damaged in any way. For this reason, it is very important to correctly pack your electronic items.

“”Aside from simply packing them in your cabin bags, devices should be stored carefully. For example, vapes, which are the second leading cause of battery related incidents on aircrafts, should be stored in a hard case to avoid accidentally being engaged during flights. If the battery can be removed, this is also recommended, again to reduce the chance of it turning on and overheating when unattended.

“When shipping your baggage unaccompanied, there are specific guidelines on whether or not they can be sent and how many. Australia and China forbid the shipping of devices containing batteries, but elsewhere, you are able to send one device containing a lithium battery. It must be in good working order with no damage, switched off and packed carefully to avoid it accidentally being switched on. Lithium batteries can not be packed separately or near other items that could cause short circuiting.

“Many passengers assume that lithium battery powered devices are safe to be packed in your hold baggage, however in the vast majority of cases, this is untrue. Some airlines will allow laptops or smartphones in the hold with careful packing, however it is strongly not recommended. The hold is not kept at the same well-managed temperature and pressure as the aircraft cabin, which makes lithium powered devices more susceptible to damage and overheating. They can also not be easily accessed in order to power them down or to contain a fire. While an aircraft hold does have systems in place to suppress fires, it would be insufficient for this type of fire.”

Supporting Facts

• Easyjet flight U2-8216 departing from Heraklion International Airport in Crete to London Gatwick Airport was evacuated on the runway due to a small explosion caused by an electronic vaping device and a power bank.

• 11% of people over the age of 18 in the UK regularly vape, according to data from a 2024 YouGov survey commissioned by Ash Wales. This equates to around 5.6 million people, and an increase of 3% from the 2023 survey.

• Between July and August 2024, 10 passenger planes were affected by incidents involving electronic devices according to data from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

• The UPS Airlines Flight 6 disaster was caused by an autoignition of a cargo pallet with over 81,000 lithium batteries onboard.