IATA Launches Global ‘Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries’ Campaign to Boost Air Travel Safety

A new global safety campaign from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) aims to educate travelers on safe handling of lithium-powered devices before and during flights. Titled Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries, the initiative responds to the growing share of passengers carrying phones, laptops, power banks, and other lithium-powered gear, and seeks to reduce in-flight incidents through clear, actionable guidance.​

Key elements of the campaign

• Seven simple rules: The program centers on seven practical guidelines for travelers, airlines, and airports to follow, including keeping batteries in carry-on luggage, avoiding packing batteries in checked bags, protecting loose batteries, and checking airline-specific watt-hour limits before travel.​
• Global reach and formats: Materials will be available in multiple languages and formats, including white-label assets for airlines and airports to customize for their own channels. A short animated video is part of the outreach to make rules easy to understand for a diverse audience.​
• Addressing misconceptions: Surveys cited by IATA show many travelers still misunderstand what can be taken in hand luggage, especially regarding the size of power banks and the status of spare batteries, underscoring the need for consistent, widely shared messaging.​

Practical tips travelers can start using now

• Keep devices and batteries in carry-on baggage whenever possible; never rely on checked luggage for lithium-powered items. If gate-checked, remove devices and batteries from the bag before handing it over.​
• Protect loose batteries by keeping them in their original packaging or taping the terminals to prevent short circuits, and always verify each battery’s watt-hour rating against airline rules before packing.​
• Check airline policies ahead of time, as requirements vary by carrier and jurisdiction. Use IATA’s guidance and the airline’s official guidance to ensure compliance and a smoother security screening process.​

Why this matters

• Passenger safety: Lithium batteries pose fire and thermal risks if damaged or mispacked; standardized education helps reduce incidents and enhances overall flight safety.​
• Industry consistency: Providing multilingual, ready-to-use assets helps ensure uniform safety messaging across airlines, airports, and travel partners, improving passenger comprehension globally.​

Bottom line

• IATA’s Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries campaign represents a coordinated effort to align travelers, airlines, and airports on best practices for carrying lithium-powered devices, aiming to lower risk and improve safety as more passengers fly with a growing array of electronic gear. Travelers should now proactively review the seven rules, verify with their airline, and apply safe packing practices on every trip