The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’, a global safety campaign that gives travelers seven simple rules for carrying mobile phones, laptops, power banks, and other lithium-powered devices safely when they fly. The campaign will run on IATA’s website and social channels and is available as white-label assets for airlines, airports, and other partners across the travel ecosystem.
Seven Simple Safety Rules
The IATA campaign will highlight seven rules for travellers:
• Pack light: Only bring the devices and batteries you really need.
• Stay alert: If a device is hot, smoking, or damaged, tell the crew (or airport staff) immediately.
• Keep devices with you: Always carry phones, laptops, cameras, vapes (if allowed) and other battery-powered items in your hand baggage, not in checked baggage.
• Protect loose batteries: Keep spare batteries and power banks in their original packaging or cover the terminals with tape to prevent short-circuits.
• Gate check reminder: If your hand baggage is taken at the gate to go in the aircraft baggage hold, remove all lithium batteries and devices first.
• Check battery size: For larger batteries (over 100 watt-hours, such as those used in larger cameras, drones, or power tools), check with your airline as approval may be required.
• Check airline rules: Always confirm your airline’s policies, as requirements may differ in compliance with local regulations.
According to IATA’s Senior Vice President, Operations, Safety and Security Nick Careen, “Lithium-powered devices are safe when handled properly, but they can pose a risk if damaged or packed incorrectly.”
Travelers Are Carrying More Devices but with Incomplete Knowledge
IATA says a recent passenger survey found that most travelers fly with lithium-powered devices:
• 83% of travelers carry a phone
• 60% carry a laptop
• 44% carry a power bank
IATA notes that “critical misconceptions persist” even amongst the “93% of travelers (who)consider themselves knowledgeable on the rules for carrying lithium-powered devices (including 57% rating themselves as very familiar with the rules)”:
• 50% incorrectly believe it’s OK to pack small lithium-powered devices in checked luggage
• 45% incorrectly believe it’s OK to pack power banks in checked luggage
• 33% incorrectly believe that there are no power limits on power banks or spare batteries
Industry-Wide Rollout
IATA says it will roll out the multilingual campaign “through digital assets that airlines and other partners can adapt and share with passengers, ensuring consistent safety messaging across the industry. A short, animated video, designed to make the rules simple, engaging, and easy to remember, can be used by airlines and airports on their digital and social channels”