Passengers increasingly packing dangerous lithium batteries in checked luggage

Finnish airport operator Finavia reports a rising number of passengers incorrectly placing spare power banks and e-cigarettes in checked baggage, a practice that peaks during summer and the Christmas season.

Air travel authorities, including Finavia and Finnair, are running campaigns to remind travelers that such items must be carried in hand luggage only. Lithium batteries are safe when handled and packed correctly, but they pose fire risks if damaged, short-circuited, or overheated.

A new international rule, effective since April, limits passengers to a maximum of two spare power banks per flight, each with a capacity of no more than 100 watt-hours. These must be packed in carry-on luggage and cannot be used to charge devices or be recharged via the aircraft’s power outlets.

Finnish airports remove 34,000–36,000 power banks from checked baggage annually, often due to passengers accidentally leaving them in their suitcases. Passengers transferring hand luggage to checked baggage at the gate are advised to double-check for prohibited items before surrendering their bags.

Jukka Hannola, aviation director at the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, notes that the global increase in lithium-powered devices has prompted worldwide campaigns by aviation authorities and airlines to raise awareness of the risks and proper handling procedures.