Traficom and aviation stakeholders remind passengers: power banks and e-cigarettes belong in hand baggage, not in the hold

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, airport company Finavia, airlines Finnair, Norra and Norwegian, and ground handling company Airpro are reminding passengers how to pack devices containing lithium batteries safely. The aim of the joint campaign coordinated by Traficom is to ensure that passengers receive clear and consistent instructions before they arrive at the airport.

"The growing number of devices with lithium batteries is a global phenomenon in aviation. This is why aviation authorities, airlines and other aviation stakeholders are actively running campaigns in Europe and elsewhere in the world. It is important to make passengers aware of the potential risks of devices containing lithium batteries. These risks can easily be avoided by packing the devices correctly - something we are all responsible for," says Jukka Hannola, Director-General of Civil Aviation at Traficom.

Always take power banks, spare batteries and e-cigarettes into the cabin

According to Finavia's report, around 34,000-36,000 power banks are removed from hold baggage in Finland every year. The numbers increase especially during the busiest travel seasons, such as in the summer and around Christmas.

Lithium batteries are safe when they are handled and packed correctly. A risk arises if a battery is damaged, short-circuits, overheats, starts smoking or catches fire. This is why it is important that certain devices are always carried in the cabin, where any incident can be detected and addressed quickly.

"Devices containing lithium batteries have become a common part of travelling. That is why we want to remind passengers that they must be packed correctly. The key message for passengers is clear: pack your power bank, spare battery and electronic cigarette in your hand baggage, not in the hold," says Hanna Hämäläinen, Finavia's Head of Passenger Services and Development.

New rule: no more than two power banks allowed on a flight

A new mandatory restriction imposed on airlines by the International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO entered into force in April. Under the new restriction, passengers may take no more than two power banks, with a rated capacity of no more than 100 Wh, on a flight. They must also always be packed in hand baggage. Power banks must not be used to charge devices during the flight, and they must not be charged using the aircraft's power socket.

In addition to power banks, spare batteries, electronic cigarettes and vape products must always be carried in hand baggage. They must not be packed in hold baggage.

"Passengers may be carrying a surprisingly large number of devices containing lithium batteries. In addition to a phone and laptop, they may have headphones, a power bank, an electronic cigarette, a smart watch, a camera, a new-generation face mask or, in the winter season, heated accessories with them. When these are packed correctly, the journey will be safer and smoother," says Mira Linnamaa, Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Norwegian.

Check your bag at the departure gate too

If your hand baggage is transferred to the hold at the departure gate, you must check your bag one more time. Power banks, spare batteries, electronic cigarettes and other items prohibited in the hold must be removed from the bag before handing it over.

Airports regularly have to remove items that may not be carried in the hold from hold baggage. In most cases, this happens by accident: a power bank or electronic cigarette has been left in the bag by mistake.

"Correct packing starts at home. When passengers check what is in their bag and where their devices belong before setting off, it reduces unnecessary checks at the airport, saves time and supports the safety of the entire flight," says Hanna Hämäläinen, Finavia's Head of Passenger Services and Development.

Keep all devices with lithium batteries in cabin baggage

As a general rule, we recommend that you primarily pack all devices containing lithium batteries in your hand baggage. Certain battery-powered devices may be packed in the hold, but you must take particular care when doing so.

Laptops, smartphones, medical CPAP devices and new devices such as therapeutic face masks are classified as medium-risk items. For example, if you pack a laptop in a bag that goes into the hold, you must switch the device off completely. You must also make sure that it cannot be switched on in the bag. Protect the device from impact, compression and damage.

Do not take any battery or device on a flight if it is damaged, swollen, unusually hot or otherwise appears to be faulty.

Report smoke, smell or overheating to the cabin crew immediately

If a battery or device overheats, swells, starts smoking or smells unusual during the flight, tell the cabin crew immediately. Do not move the battery to the overhead locker, cover it or try to handle it yourself.

"Cabin crew are trained to handle incidents involving batteries too. It is important that passengers can see the bag containing the battery-powered device. This ensures that any potentially dangerous situation can be detected in time. The sooner a passenger reports what they have noticed, the sooner the situation can be addressed. When passengers and cabin crew remain alert and work well together, any incidents caused by lithium batteries can be minimised," says Ida Flykt, Manager, Cabin Services at Finnair.

For more information on carrying devices containing lithium batteries, see the instructions of your airline.

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