Lithium batteries-induced cabin fire put airline safety again under scrutiny
Recent lithium battery fires on flights have renewed scrutiny over airline safety, despite regulations requiring carriage in the cabin.Summary
Recent in-flight fires caused by lithium batteries in devices like phones and power banks, occurring in both seat pockets and overhead bins in India and China, have reignited concerns about airline safety. Although regulators banned lithium batteries in checked baggage in 2016 due to cargo fires, forcing passengers to carry them in the cabin, these recent incidents show cabin storage is not entirely risk-free. The FAA has logged dozens of such fires this year, with over 450 incidents recorded between 2010 and 2024. Lithium batteries can overheat or combust if damaged or short-circuited, leading to thermal runaway in the confined aircraft space. In response, airlines like Emirates are updating guidelines, and IATA launched the 'Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries' campaign to educate passengers. Experts emphasize that cheap or counterfeit batteries are often the source of failures, underscoring the need for strict adherence to safety protocols.
(Source：Gulf Times)
