Airlines Warn Over Growing Risks Posed by Lithium-Ion Batteries
The airline industry identifies lithium-ion batteries as a top safety risk due to an increasing number of incidents involving devices on flights and in airports.
The airline industry has identified lithium-ion batteries as one of its top three safety risks, a concern that has persisted for several years. A recent U.S. study indicated that the industry experiences approximately two lithium-ion battery-related incidents per week globally. These incidents can range from passengers discovering they left devices in checked baggage to devices smoking or catching fire within airport baggage halls or on aircraft.
The severity of these incidents can be extreme. In January 2025, an Air Busan plane was destroyed on the tarmac at Gimhae Airport in South Korea. Investigators concluded that a power bank battery pack left in an overhead luggage compartment was the cause. This event prompted the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to launch a global campaign titled "Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries" to encourage passenger awareness.
Experts explain that while the inherent properties of lithium-ion technology do not make flying uniquely dangerous, managing incidents involving these batteries is significantly more challenging at altitudes of 32,000 feet. The rise in battery-related incidents is attributed to an increase in passengers, flights, and electronic devices. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reports that battery safety is a priority, and its data shows a continuous increase in confirmed incidents, with 51 verified cases reported by July 15 of the current year.
Pierre Kubiak, a principal engineer specializing in battery technology at the UK's National Physical Laboratory, noted that in addition to common devices like cell phones, power banks, tablets, and laptops, the prevalence of smartwatches, smart glasses, and vapes also contributes to the risk. He elaborated that the danger arises not from the lithium itself but from the organic materials and plastics within the batteries, which can generate extreme heat very rapidly, exceeding 700 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The public became more aware of lithium-ion battery dangers approximately a decade ago following a series of phone-related fires. While Kubiak suggests that manufacturers have since addressed design flaws, the proliferation of cheaply produced battery packs from East Asia, along with vapes and other powered devices with questionable quality control, presents ongoing challenges. He also pointed out that passengers can exacerbate the problem by using unsuitable cables and neglecting device care.