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Airlines step up warnings after lithium-ion battery fires on flights
The BBC says a recent Air Busan incident in South Korea was linked to a power bank battery pack left in an overhead luggage compartment, prompting IATA to launch a global safety campaign.
Airlines are urging travelers to be more careful with battery powered devices after incidents where lithium-ion battery packs overheat and ignite on planes, creating difficult conditions for crews at cruising altitude. BBC Business describes a June flight into Las Vegas where smoke and distressed passengers emerged from the rear after a passenger used a battery pack that overheated and burst into flames, leading the aircraft to land quickly and aggressively with firefighting crews waiting at Harry Reid International Airport.
The reporting highlights that passenger warnings have become more frequent, including pleas not to put lithium-ion devices in checked luggage and guidance to avoid trying to retrieve devices that may fall into seat spaces. Jonathan Nicholson at the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is cited saying lithium-ion batteries have been, if not the top risk, then within the top three risks for the airline industry for years.
BBC Business also points to how common such incidents appear to be, with Nicholson saying their prevalence reflects higher volumes of travel, flights, and device use rather than any inherent increase in risk from the technology itself. The outlet cites a US study indicating that, worldwide, the industry faces about two lithium-ion battery related incidents per week, ranging from devices left in checked bags to devices smoking or catching fire in baggage areas or during flights.
The article adds that in January 2025 an Air Busan aircraft was destroyed on the tarmac in Gimhae Airport in South Korea, with investigators concluding a power bank battery pack left in an overhead luggage compartment was responsible. It says the incident spurred the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to launch a global campaign encouraging passengers to travel smart with lithium batteries.