New IATA Safety Campaign Addresses Risks of Improperly Packed Electronic Devices
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The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched a global safety campaign, ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries,’ to instruct passengers on the correct transportation of electronic devices. The initiative follows a survey that revealed significant unawareness of current regulations, despite most travelers considering themselves well-informed.
According to a statement from IATA, the survey found that although 93% of passengers believe they know the rules, critical misconceptions persist. 50% of respondents incorrectly believe it is safe to pack small devices with lithium batteries in checked baggage, while 45% think the same about power banks.
This lack of knowledge poses a risk to operational safety, as lithium batteries, if damaged or packed incorrectly, can overheat and cause a fire in the aircraft's hold, an area where firefighting is complex. The campaign emphasizes that personal electronic devices must always be carried in cabin baggage.
Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, stated that "lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly." He added that as more travelers fly with these devices, the campaign will help airlines educate their passengers on the simple rules they must keep in mind.
The seven safety rules
The IATA campaign focuses on seven key recommendations for passengers:
- Pack light: Only bring the devices and batteries that are strictly necessary for the trip.
- Stay alert: If a device is hot, smoking, or damaged, notify the cabin crew or airport staff immediately.
- Keep devices with you: Always carry phones, laptops, cameras, and other battery-powered items in your cabin baggage, never in the hold.
- Protect loose batteries: Keep spare batteries and power banks in their original packaging or cover their terminals with tape to prevent short-circuits.
- Gate check reminder: If your cabin baggage must be checked at the gate, it is crucial to first remove all devices and batteries.
- Check battery size: For larger batteries (over 100 watt-hours, Wh), such as those in drones or professional tools, you must check with the airline, as special approval may be required.
- Check airline policies: It is always advisable to confirm the specific regulations of the airline, as they may vary to comply with local rules.
Each safety rule has a video:
The campaign will be rolled out globally through multilingual digital assets so that airlines, airports, and other industry stakeholders can adapt and share them, ensuring a consistent safety message. The assets are available to download in this link.
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