28-05-2025
CAA warns UK travellers of cabin luggage rule that could be ‘catastrophic' if ignored
THE CAA has warned travellers of a cabin luggage rule that could be catastrophic if ignored.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority, which maintains aviation safety in the UK, warned that holidaymakers who flout the rule could be at risk of causing "serious injury" to other travellers.
Lithium batteries are found in any device with a rechargeable battery, such as power banks, headphones, phones and e-cigarettes.
According to the CAA website: "Poorly manufactured, faulty and misused lithium batteries and those which have not been protected against short circuit can experience something called 'thermal runaway'.
"This results in them getting so hot that they can catch fire, explode and ignite other nearby batteries.
"If that were to happen on the flight deck it could significantly disrupt the operation of the aircraft and cause serious injury to flight crew.
"Similarly, if such an event occurred in the passenger cabin it could cause serious injury to a passenger or crew member.
"Accordingly, Controlled portable electronic devices (C-PEDs) are subject to safety design and operational standards."
Back in January, a n Air Busan plane caught on fire due to a malfunctioning power bank, which led to the plane being decommissioned due to the extent of the damage.
This led to a full ban of power banks being taken in hand luggage, the first of its kind in the world.
Other airlines have followed suit with slightly less restrictive guidelines, but still banning the use of power banks in the cabin, as well as banning them in overhead lockers.
This includes Eva Air, Thai Airways and Air Asia as well as Tigerair and Starlux.
Watch horror moment boxes of batteries suddenly explode sparking horrific factory inferno that killed 23 workers
Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines - who operate flights from the UK - have also introduced the strict power bank ban.
Last year, a fire broke out on an Asiana Airlines flight because of an overheating power bank.
Aerospace design lecturer Sonya Brown told Australian media: "When lithium-ion batteries start to deteriorate, they often expand, which is a key indicator that the battery should not be used anymore.
"Having them with people waiting to be detected sooner is safer."
It comes days after the US Transportation Security Administration updated its guidelines on checked luggage restrictions in regard to power banks.
They must only be in hand luggage, not checked luggage.
But some rules have been eased - 11 new items are allowed in hand luggage in the US including certain medications and food.
What do the new power bank rules mean for travellers?
The Sun's Head of Travel Lisa Minot weighs in.
AS staying connected becomes ever-more important, a ban on the handy gadget that can keep our devices topped up could be seen as a pain.
But the catastrophic consequences of a fire on a plane are an obvious reason to make rules stricter.
After countless incidents - and with so many counterfeit and faulty goods out there - it makes sense they are cracking down.
But airlines do need to understand the need for us to be able to top up our devices in the air. With plans afoot to get rid of physical boarding passes in the coming years, making sure we're able to use our devices will become ever more essential.
Adapting plane interiors to include USB ports will alleviate the need to top up on the go.
And more needs to be done to highlight the new rules - and the dangers these devices can pose.
