The biggest threat on board aircraft is no longer just related to engines or weather conditions; it has become a small device carried daily by millions of passengers in their bags or pockets. Lithium batteries, especially those inside "power bank" devices, have become one of the fastest-growing risks in the aviation sector, prompting airlines and regulatory bodies to tighten restrictions on carrying and storing them during flights.

In recent years, incidents of lithium battery overheating and fires breaking out on aircraft have increased, leading many airlines to ban placing "power bank" devices in checked luggage or overhead bins, requiring passengers to keep them in the passenger cabin to facilitate rapid intervention in the event of an emergency.

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Why does a small battery become a source of danger?

The problem lies in lithium-ion batteries, which can experience what is known as "thermal runaway" – a condition in which the battery's temperature rises rapidly due to an internal defect, strong impact, use of a non-certified charger, or a short circuit.

Once this process starts, the battery produces flammable gases and its temperature rises to levels that may cause it to ignite spontaneously, with the possibility of the fire spreading to adjacent batteries or other materials.

What is the role of atmospheric pressure?

Although some believe atmospheric pressure is the direct cause, experts point out that the low pressure inside the aircraft cabin is not the reason for battery ignition, but it may complicate the incident when it occurs.

Aircraft fly at altitudes exceeding 10 kilometers, and although the cabin is pressurized, the air pressure inside remains lower than at sea level. In this environment, gases generated inside a faulty battery can expand more, while heat dissipation efficiency decreases compared to ground conditions, which may accelerate the development of thermal runaway if it has already begun.

Why is it forbidden to put power banks in bags?

Airlines do not ban power banks just because they exist, but because of the difficulty of detecting a fire if it is inside luggage.

In overhead bins or inside checked baggage, a long time may pass before smoke or heat is noticed, giving the fire a chance to spread.

However, when the device is with the passenger in the cabin, the flight crew can quickly intervene using fire extinguishers and containment equipment designed for lithium battery fires, which reduces the chances of the incident escalating.

Global tightening of measures

These risks have driven a growing number of airlines and regulatory bodies to impose stricter restrictions on carrying power banks, including setting maximum allowed capacity, banning device charging on some flights, and prohibiting their placement in checked luggage.

These measures reflect growing global concern over the increasing reliance on lithium batteries in portable electronic devices, at a time when the number of related incidents on aircraft is rising.

Small risk... big impact

Although the likelihood of a fire caused by a power bank remains limited compared to the number of daily flights, the nature of these incidents inside a closed environment at high altitude makes them one of the most serious operational risks facing airlines today.

Therefore, the power bank is no longer just an accessory for charging phones; it has become a device subject to increasing scrutiny and strict safety measures, as airlines seek to minimize any risks that could threaten passenger and flight safety.

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