How dangerous are lithium-ion batteries on the plane?
In the meantime, the question of lithium-ion batteries in the check-in of the task baggage is mandatory. Due to the risk of fire, these may only be carried in the hand luggage due to the fire. But this could change soon, such as the one « Mirror » reported.
After an incident in Busan (South Korea), which ultimately led to total damage to a complete Airbus A321, the rules were tightened with South Korean airlines. From now on, power banks can no longer be used on board and should also – just like e -cigarettes – be worn on the body. Alternatively, they can also be accommodated in the flammable seat pocket. In this way, smoke development in the devices is to be recognized at an early stage.
Air Busan’s burning Airbus A321 on January 28, 2025. The trigger is said to have been a fire triggered by a battery. Photo: SOPA Images/Light dryet via gett
What had happened? An Air Busan Airbus with 176 people on board was ready for the start of Hong Kong at the Gimhae International Airport near Busan on January 28, 2025, which was delayed by half an hour. During the waiting time, some passengers noticed crackling noises from the luggage compartments, shortly afterwards smoke began to spread. The machine could be evacuated in time, but the fire destroyed about half of the fuselage. A total damage, probably triggered by a damaged battery in a luggage compartment, which was primarily light because the departure had delayed.
No data for Europe
The incident in South Korea was not an isolated case, the US aviation authority FAA has last year 69 incidents with lithium-ion batteries Registered on board, corresponding incidents have increased by 28 percent in American aircraft in the past five years. The European Air Safety Agency (EASA) does not offer publicly accessible statistics on the subject.
But in the past few months alone, cases have been increasing. In Reno, Nevada a laptop on board Southwest machine on fire, a burning power bank on board Hong Kong Airlines-Airbus forces the pilots to become an emergency landing, with one Batik Air flight to Thailand the flight attendants can make up the fire stove in a luggage compartment in good time and delete them themselves.
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« Every fire at a height of 30,000 is unacceptable, » emphasizes the American security expert David Wroth in one « CBS news » interview on the subject. In the event of an emergency, a crew only have a few minutes to become masters before the cabin fills with toxic gases or important structures of the machine are damaged by heat and flames.
Since then, Air Busan (South Korea) and Batik Air (Malaysia), but also Eva Air (Taiwan), China Airlines (Taiwan), Thai Airways (Thailand), Singapore Airlines and Scoot (Singapore) have not tightened their rules.
No change in Luxair
At Luxair, such a regulation is currently not intended, as the airline explains at the request of the « Luxemburger Word ». « We are based on the applicable security requirements of the EASA and the IATA guidelines for dangerous goods. » So far, other European and American airlines have not yet adopted the changes from Asia. Accordingly, passengers can carry up to 20 lithium batteries in the hand luggage at the Luxair, which of course include not only power banks, but also smartphones, laptops, cameras, razors and much more. However, this is also clearly prohibited in all European airlines in the case of task baggage. To this end, passengers are reminded several times at online check-in and at the airport not to leave any batteries in the task baggage.
There are no changes to the cordless rules on board the Luxair machines. As long as power banks and electronic devices are stowed away in hand luggage, everything is fine. Photo: Dustin Mertes
« Our experience shows that the vast majority of passengers comply with the security requirements, » said Luxair. There have so far been no incidents in the airline machines, but the cabin personnel have been prepared for dealing with such incidents. « On board we carry a so-called Firesock in which the devices can be kept safely with defective or overheated lithium batteries. This special container serves to contain potential risks in a controlled manner. »
If a passenger determines changes on devices or power banks, the cabin crew must be informed immediately. Of course, this also applies to any other airline. B
So far, incidents with burning lithium-ion batteries have expired lightly in the passenger air ride. At the air freight, on the other hand, there is at least one documented aircraft crash that could be attributed to burning lithium-ion batteries. In 2010, a Boeing 747 of the UPS Airlines had an accident shortly after the start in Dubai on the way to Cologne after a range of 81,000 batteries caught fire. The fire ultimately led to loss of control, both pilots died.
What to do if the battery flows up at home?
Attention, when a power bank bulges or becomes unusually hot, caution is advised. Photo: Shutterstock
In recent years, the number of lithium-ion batteries in Luxembourg has risen sharply, which the company Ecotatterien confirms at the request of the « Luxembourg word » with a view to a clear increase in the collection and return of old batteries. Operations Manager Alessio Girotto spoke to us about the correct disposal.
How does disposal work?
In Luxembourg, old battery stores such as power banks or laptop batteries can be handed over free of charge at recycling centers, municipal collection points, in many shops or via Super Dreckskëscht. The collected devices are manually dismantled in a specialized center, Prezero Lamesch, in Bettembourg. The batteries are removed by hand from the devices in order to then recycle them professionally and safely.
What should you consider in the disposal of old batteries?
Such devices may not be disposed of, damaged or burned in the residual waste. There is a risk of fire and explosion, especially for devices with lithium-based batteries. The poles should – if possible – be taped and the devices should be undamaged and separately released.
How should you react if you notice a bloated or unusually warm battery at home?
If there is no special safety container available, the battery in the water can be placed on a non -flammable surface (e.g. tile floor, balcony) – far away from flammable materials and ideally outside or in a cool, well -ventilated room. You should then contact the responsible bodies (e.g. Super Dreckskëscht or municipality) as soon as possible in order to dispose of the battery professionally. In an emergency (smoke, strong heat), the emergency call 112 must be selected.
