Lithium-ion Battery Fires: Understanding Risks and Planning for Containment | Aviation International News

Lithium-ion Battery Fires: Understanding Risks and Containment

On average, two lithium-ion battery thermal runaway events occur every week, mostly while aircraft are in cruise

explosion of a Lithium-ion battery installed in a mobile Bluetooth speaker — On average, two lithium-ion battery thermal runaway events occur every week, mostly while aircraft are in cruise. © AdobeStock

By Stuart “Kipp” Lau • Contributor - Safety

April 1, 2026

Lithium-ion battery fires are an increasing risk for aviation, with more incidents and greater severity in recent years. The threat of these fires exists on any flight at any time. Uncontained, these fires can lead to a catastrophic loss of an aircraft in minutes. Although passengers may not recognize these dangers, the industry is actively working on improved mitigation and containment strategies.

Underwriters Laboratories' Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP)—a voluntary program that tracks and trends lithium battery incidents—indicates that the risk of a lithium-ion battery fire is at its highest point in five years of data collection. On average, there are two lithium-ion battery thermal runaway events per week; over half of those events occur during the cruise phase of flight, often the furthest point from a suitable airport.

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