Southampton Airport passengers have been warned of the danger of packing rechargeable lithium batteries in their luggage.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has described them as a "potentially deadly threat".
It comes as part of the campaign from the aviation regulator, which is working alongside airlines and airports, to raise awareness among passengers of the dangers caused by everyday electrical items being packed in the wrong place.
Rechargeable lithium batteries, such as power banks and vapes, can bring a fire risk that could be uncontrollable if packed in checked baggage.
Why are rechargeable lithium batteries a risk on flights?
Data from the CAA shows reports of overheating or malfunctioning passenger devices almost doubled between 2024 and 2025, following a 98% year-on-year rise.
Meanwhile, cases of lithium battery-powered items being wrongly packed in checked luggage increased by 91% in 2025.
Despite the surge, awareness among passengers remains low.
More than a third (36%) of travellers do not realise the dangers of placing batteries in hold luggage, even though most people now fly with multiple devices — including mobile phones (92%), laptops (55%) and power banks (49%).
This suggests hundreds of batteries could be incorrectly packed on a typical flight.
On average, passengers carry four lithium-powered devices when travelling, meaning there could be more than 2,000 on board a busy Airbus A380.
According to the CAA, this makes lithium battery fires the number one safety risk to aircraft.
Power banks and vapes are among the highest-risk items and must always be carried in the cabin.
Passengers are limited to a maximum of two power banks and must not charge the power bank itself during a flight.
However, charging other devices using a power bank may be permitted.
Travellers are advised to check with their airline or visit the CAA website here.
What should passengers do?
The UK Civil Aviation Authority says:
- Take items like mobile phones, vapes and power banks on board with you.
- Never charge a power bank on a flight.
- Turn off laptops completely if they’re going to be put in check in bags.
Getting it wrong could lead to your bags being removed from the flight, causing significant delays or even worse, resulting in a fire that may be impossible to contain.
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Giancarlo Buono, Director of Aviation Safety at the UK CAA, said: “Flying is by far the safest way to travel and we want to keep it that way.
“Pack right for a safe flight, and that means don’t put your batteries in your checked bag. Take them into the cabin with you.
“This simple tip will make your flight safer for you, and the other passengers you’re flying with.”
Had you been aware of the potential risk behind rechargeable lithium batteries on planes? Let us know in the comments.
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