Aviation authorities are urging passengers to keep power banks, vapes and other lithium battery-powered devices out of checked luggage after a sharp increase in battery-related incidents raised safety concerns across the airline industry.

The warning comes as millions of travelers head overseas during the busy summer holiday season, prompting regulators and airlines to reinforce rules aimed at reducing the risk of fires caused by lithium batteries.

The British Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said lithium batteries now represent the biggest safety risk facing aircraft. Officials reported that the number of battery-powered devices discovered in checked baggage has nearly doubled over the past year, while the average passenger now carries around four lithium-powered devices on every flight.

Lithium batteries are widely used in portable electronics because they store large amounts of energy in compact devices. However, damaged or defective batteries can overheat and ignite, creating fires that are difficult to extinguish. Authorities warn that incidents occurring inside the aircraft cabin can usually be managed by trained crew, but fires in the cargo hold present a much greater danger.

According to the CAA, the UK recorded 316 incidents involving lithium battery-powered devices in checked baggage during 2024. That figure climbed to 643 in 2025, with aviation officials reporting an average of two battery-related incidents every week. Such events can also lead to flight delays or diversions when luggage must be removed before departure.

Recent incidents have highlighted the risks. In May, an easyJet flight traveling from Hurghada, Egypt, to London diverted to Rome after a passenger informed the crew that a portable charger had been packed in checked luggage. Last October, footage circulated online showing flames emerging from an overhead storage compartment on an Air China flight, with reports suggesting a lithium battery was responsible.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) updated its guidance in March, recommending passengers carry no more than two power banks and avoid charging them during flights, whether through onboard power outlets or other methods. The CAA has repeated those recommendations and said many passengers remain unaware of the regulations.

Travelers are also advised to completely switch off laptops before placing them in checked baggage.

Tim Alderslade, chief executive of Airlines UK, described lithium battery incidents as an increasing challenge for the aviation sector.

“Whilst pilots and cabin crew are trained to deal with any situation the best outcome is always prevention, which starts when passengers pack their bags,” he said.

Airlines around the world have introduced stricter rules in response. Carriers including Qantas, Emirates, Cathay Pacific and Singapore Airlines have banned the use of power banks during flights or prohibited charging them onboard. Lufthansa Group, which includes Lufthansa, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings and SWISS, has also tightened its policies by limiting the number of power banks passengers may carry and requiring them to be kept on their person or in easily accessible locations during the flight. Türkiye also introduced updated regulations earlier this year following ICAO’s revised guidance.

Eurostar is strengthening its long-term climate resilience by equipping its next generation of high-speed trains with air conditioning systems capable of operating in temperatures as high as 55C, following a series of intense European heatwaves that disrupted rail services this summer.

The decision reflects growing concerns over the impact of extreme weather on transport infrastructure as climate change brings more frequent and prolonged periods of high temperatures across the continent.

The upgraded trains, known as Celestia, are scheduled to enter service in 2031 and are expected to remain in operation into the 2060s. Eurostar said preparing the fleet for future climate conditions is essential given the expected lifespan of the trains.

“A decision has been taken to equip our new fleet of up to 50 Celestia trains with air conditioning capable of operating in temperatures up to 55 degrees,” a Eurostar spokesperson told the Daily Mail.

“These trains will enter service in 2031 and run into the 2060s so it’s essential to be prepared for the future,” the spokesperson added.

When the order was first announced late last year, the Celestia trains were designed to function in temperatures of up to 45C. Following this year’s severe heatwaves across several European countries, Eurostar opted to increase that threshold by 10 degrees.

France has been among the countries hardest hit by extreme temperatures. The southwestern town of Pissos recorded 44.3C in June, marking the highest temperature ever measured in the country for that month and highlighting the growing challenge facing transport operators.

The new fleet will be built by Alstom Group and will introduce several changes beyond enhanced climate protection. The double-decker trains will be the first of their kind to operate through the Channel Tunnel and on Britain’s domestic high-speed rail network.

Each train will measure approximately 200 metres in length and accommodate up to 540 passengers, representing a 20 percent increase in seating capacity compared with existing trains. They will serve Eurostar’s current international routes connecting five countries while also supporting planned expansion to Geneva and Frankfurt.

Eurostar has placed an initial order for 30 Celestia trains and retains the option to purchase 20 more as it works toward increasing annual passenger numbers to 30 million.

The company has experienced firsthand the operational impact of extreme heat. On June 25, four services between London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord were cancelled after high temperatures affected rail operations across parts of the network.

The investment comes as Eurostar’s contribution to the UK economy continues to grow. The operator is estimated to generate around £2 billion (€2.34 billion) annually for the British economy, with that figure expected to rise over the coming decade as demand for international rail travel increases and the network expands.