Spread the love

Australians packing for their Christmas getaway are being given a firm but friendly reminder this festive season. If your suitcase contains a lithium battery, a vape, or a power bank, Santa won’t be the only one keeping a close eye on it.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has renewed its annual safety warning, urging travellers to follow its Pack Right, Safe Flight campaign rules to avoid dangerous incidents, costly delays, and, in the worst cases, missed flights altogether.

And while the message is wrapped in seasonal goodwill, the consequences of getting it wrong are anything but jolly.

At the top of CASA’s naughty list are lithium-ion batteries, now so commonplace that most travellers carry at least four rechargeable devices onto a plane. Phones, laptops, power banks, e-cigarettes and vapes may be everyday items, but when they’re wrongly stowed in checked baggage, they become a serious in-flight fire risk.

CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety Pip Spence was blunt about the danger.

“Devices like phones, laptops, vapes and power banks are things we regularly travel with but when they’re packed incorrectly, they can pose a serious fire risk,” Ms Spence said.

“Spare lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, vapes and power banks must never be packed in checked baggage. They should always be carried in the cabin, where cabin crew are trained to respond to any incidents.

“Electrical devices that need to be plugged into mains power are OK to include in your checked baggage.

“You can search our website for these and other commonly packed items including aerosols, sparklers, and cleaning products to find out whether they can be carried at all, where they should be packed, and what conditions apply.”

The official guidance is laid out clearly on CASA’s public safety portal: https://www.casa.gov.au.

Yet despite years of warnings, dangerous items continue to turn up in aircraft holds, sometimes with dramatic consequences. A single overheating battery can lead to emergency diversions, aircraft damage and costly ground delays during what is already Australia’s busiest flying period.

CASA has also reinforced that failing to declare dangerous goods during check-in, whether online or at the airport, is a serious offence. Incorrect, misleading or incomplete declarations can attract significant financial penalties and, in extreme cases, prosecution.

The watchdog’s seasonal message is also one of respect and cooperation during a time when airports and cabin crews are stretched to their limits.

“Above all else, remember the season of good will applies to everyone,” Ms Spence said. “So if you’re travelling, please treat your fellow passengers and airline staff with respect.

“When the crew ask you to do things it’s to keep you safe, so please follow their instructions.”

Behind the scenes, CASA will maintain an active inspection program throughout the holiday period, overseeing airlines and aviation operators to ensure safety standards remain at full operational strength during the Christmas rush.

For passengers, the calculation is simple. One wrongly packed power bank can derail an entire trip. One overlooked declaration can delay hundreds of travellers. And one careless decision can turn a festive escape into a regulatory headache.

In aviation, tradition still matters. Preparation, discipline, and respect for the rules are what keep the system flying safely. CASA’s Christmas message is as old-school as it gets: pack carefully, follow instructions, and think of others.

Do that, and the only turbulence you’ll encounter this Christmas should be at the champagne trolley.