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IATA Launches Global Campaign to Promote Safe Air Travel with Lithium Batteries IATA Launches Global Campaign to Promote Safe Air Travel with Lithium Batteries

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has rolled out a new global safety initiative, ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’, aimed at educating travellers on the safe carriage of mobile phones, laptops, power banks, and other lithium-powered devices when flying. This campaign is being promoted across IATA’s website and social media channels, and is also available as white-label assets for airlines, airports, and partners throughout the travel ecosystem, ensuring consistent messaging industry-wide.

Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, emphasized the importance of the campaign, noting that while lithium-powered devices are generally safe when handled correctly, they can pose risks if damaged or packed improperly. As more travellers bring these devices on board, the campaign seeks to help airlines and airports educate passengers on the essential rules for safe travel with electronics that have become indispensable in daily life.

Survey Reveals Knowledge Gaps Among Travellers

Recent IATA research highlights that the vast majority of passengers travel with lithium-powered devices: 83% carry a phone, 60% a laptop, and 44% a power bank. Despite 93% of respondents claiming to be knowledgeable about the rules, significant misconceptions persist. Half of travellers incorrectly believe it is acceptable to pack small lithium-powered devices in checked luggage, 45% think power banks can go in checked bags, and a third are unaware of power limits on power banks or spare batteries. These gaps underscore the need for clear, accessible safety guidance.

Seven Simple Safety Rules for Lithium Batteries

The ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’ campaign distills safety into seven straightforward rules every traveller should follow:

  • Pack light: Only bring the devices and batteries you truly need.
  • Stay alert: If a device is hot, smoking, or damaged, notify 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 luggage .
  • Protect loose batteries: Store spare batteries and power banks in their original packaging or cover terminals with tape to prevent short-circuits.
  • Gate check reminder: If your hand baggage is taken at the gate to be placed in the aircraft hold, remove all lithium batteries and devices first.
  • Check battery size: For larger batteries (over 100 watt-hours, such as those 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 according to local regulations.

Industry-Wide Rollout and Educational Tools

The campaign is designed for broad adoption, with multilingual digital assets that airlines, airports, and other partners can adapt and share with passengers. A short, animated video and other engaging materials make the rules easy to understand and remember, supporting a unified approach to safety messaging across the aviation industry.

By making these resources available to media and all entities in the aviation value chain, IATA aims to ensure that travellers everywhere are equipped with the knowledge to fly safely with their lithium-powered devices. For Africa’s travel sector, this campaign is a timely reminder of the importance of passenger education and operational vigilance as device usage continues to rise across the continent.