UK aviation watchdog warns of rising portable charger fire risks on flights

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has raised the alarm over a growing number of incidents involving portable chargers on aircraft. The regulator is calling for greater passenger awareness of the fire risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in power banks. Travellers are being urged to follow safety guidelines and 'do the right thing' when flying with such devices.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued a warning that incidents involving portable chargers — commonly known as power banks — on board aircraft are becoming more frequent. The regulator says the trend is concerning and that greater public awareness of the associated fire risks is urgently needed.

Lithium-ion batteries, which power most portable chargers, can overheat and in rare cases catch fire or even explode — a phenomenon known as thermal runaway. On an aircraft, where passengers are confined and emergency options are limited, such an event can pose a serious risk to everyone on board.

The CAA is urging passengers to take personal responsibility and 'do the right thing' by following established airline safety rules. Most carriers already require that power banks be carried in hand luggage rather than checked baggage, as fires in the cabin are easier for crew to detect and manage than those in the hold.

Passengers are also advised to avoid charging devices via power banks during the flight, not to use damaged or swollen batteries, and to buy chargers only from reputable manufacturers. Airlines and airport staff are encouraged to remind travellers of the rules at check-in and boarding.

The CAA's warning comes amid a broader global concern about the proliferation of lithium-ion battery-powered consumer electronics. Aviation authorities in multiple countries have flagged similar trends, and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has previously called for stricter regulation of how such devices are transported on commercial flights.