IATA launches global push to keep travellers safe from lithium battery risks

October 19, 2025 in Business, Transport, Travel & Tourism by Editor

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a global awareness campaign aimed at one of the most overlooked risks in modern air travel — the humble lithium battery.

Titled “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries,” the initiative distils complex aviation safety rules into seven simple tips for passengers carrying phones, laptops, cameras, and power banks. The campaign will run across IATA’s global platforms and be shared with airlines, airports, and travel partners to ensure consistent messaging from check-in to boarding gate.

“Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly,” said Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security. “As more travellers fly with these devices, this campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind when traveling with electronics that have become an essential part of their lives.”

IATA’s latest passenger survey reveals that the average traveller now carries an entire ecosystem of lithium-powered gadgets — 83pc bring a mobile phone, 60pc a laptop, and 44pc a power bank. Yet many misunderstand the rules meant to keep them safe.

Half of respondents wrongly believe they can pack small devices with lithium batteries in checked luggage, while nearly as many think power banks can safely go in the cargo hold. A third assume there are no limits on battery size — a dangerous misconception, given that short-circuited or overheated batteries have been linked to fires on aircraft and at airports.

The campaign’s core message is “keep your batteries with you.” When lithium devices are stored in the cabin, trained crew can respond immediately if overheating or smoke occurs; an essential safeguard not possible when the items are locked away in the aircraft hold.

Through a mix of short videos, infographics, and multilingual online materials, Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries outlines seven golden rules every passenger should follow: bring only what you need, carry your devices in hand baggage, protect spare batteries, and always check airline-specific restrictions. The tone is friendly and accessible — aiming to inform, not alarm.

IATA’s data suggests the campaign could make a real difference. As global passenger numbers surge past pre-pandemic levels, incidents involving lithium batteries, though rare, remain one of aviation’s most persistent safety challenges. A single mishandled device can trigger smoke or fire in confined spaces, a risk airlines are determined to eliminate through awareness rather than enforcement.

The campaign’s rollout also reflects a broader trend in aviation safety: bringing passengers into the loop. By equipping travellers with clear, actionable information, IATA hopes to transform safety from a behind-the-scenes function into a shared responsibility.

The multilingual assets — available for airlines, airports, regulators, and media — will ensure the same message reaches travellers across continents and languages. A short, animated video, designed to be both engaging and memorable, will circulate widely on social and in-flight platforms.

The effort comes as the aviation industry balances record digital connectivity with new forms of risk. With more travellers relying on devices to navigate their journeys, from mobile boarding passes to in-flight entertainment, the lithium battery has become both indispensable and potentially hazardous.