Airlines are intensifying safety warnings regarding lithium-ion batteries as incidents of overheating and fires on flights continue to rise.

Airlines are issuing more frequent warnings about lithium-ion batteries following a rise in in-flight incidents. Experts note that while the technology is not inherently more dangerous in the air, managing battery fires at 32,000 feet is significantly more difficult than on the ground.

Rising Frequency of Incidents

A recent US study indicated that the aviation industry faces approximately two lithium-ion battery incidents per week globally. These range from devices smoking in baggage halls to fires occurring during flights. Data from the US Federal Aviation Administration shows 51 verified incidents for the year leading up to July 15. In one extreme case in January 2025, an Air Busan plane was destroyed on the tarmac in South Korea after a power bank in an overhead compartment caught fire.

Safety Challenges and Mitigation

Lithium-ion batteries can reach temperatures between 700 and 1,000 degrees Celsius very rapidly when they fail. Experts attribute the increase in incidents to the growing number of devices, such as vapes, smart watches, and power banks, often produced with questionable quality controls. To manage these risks, aviation authorities emphasize that passengers should keep devices in the cabin rather than checked luggage and avoid leaving them in overhead compartments. Flight crews are trained to use water or specialized containment devices to cool overheating batteries.