The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a new global campaign entitled “Travel Smart with Lithium Batteries”, aiming to inform travelers about the simple but critical safety rules they should follow when carrying mobile phones, laptops, power banks and other devices that operate on lithium batteries.
The campaign, which was launched in the city of Xiamen and will be “run” through IATA’s website and social networks, is also available as white-label material to airlines, airports and other partners in the travel ecosystem.
Why the campaign is needed
Devices with lithium batteries are completely safe when used correctly, however, according to Nick Careen, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Operations, Safety and Security, “they can pose a risk if damaged or incorrectly packaged.”
The new campaign aims to educate the traveling public, as – as a recent IATA survey showed – most passengers travel with lithium devices, but are not always aware of the rules for their transportation. It is noteworthy that 83% carry a mobile phone, 60% carry a laptop and 44% carry a power bank.
Although 93% believe they are aware of the rules, the survey revealed significant misconceptions, such as 50% mistakenly believing that small devices can be placed in checked baggage, 45% believe that the same applies to power banks and 33% believe that there are no power limits for power banks or spare batteries
IATA’s 7 Safety Rules
The campaign summarizes the seven “golden rules” that every traveler should remember:
Pack smart: Take only the devices and batteries you need.
Stay alert: If a device becomes hot, smokes, or appears damaged, notify the crew or airport staff immediately.
Keep your devices with you: Cell phones, laptops, cameras, e-cigarettes, and similar devices should only be carried in carry-on luggage.
Protect spare batteries: Store them in their packaging or cover the terminals with tape to prevent short circuits.
Be careful at the gate: If you check your carry-on luggage at the gate, remove all lithium-ion devices and batteries.
Check the power: For batteries over 100 watt-hours, contact the airline for possible approval.
Check airline regulations: Policies may vary by country and carrier.
A single message for the entire industry
IATA is promoting the campaign in multiple languages ??to ensure a consistent message to passengers worldwide. The material includes digital graphics and a short animated video, designed to make the rules easy and enjoyable to understand.
Airlines, airports and the media are free to use the content, reinforcing the message of safe transportation of lithium batteries.
More than we think contain lithium batteries
IATA reminds us that many everyday devices contain lithium batteries, beyond mobile phones and laptops: headphones, tablets, smartwatches, e-readers, cameras, consoles, electronic cigarettes, and even electric toothbrushes, shavers and hair straighteners.
