As the busy school holiday season approaches and air travel is expected to surge over Easter and Anzac Day, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) is launching a new campaign focused on ensuring safer air travel by educating passengers about the correct packing procedures for their flights.
The “Pack Right. Safe Flight” initiative encourages travelers to pay special attention to packing power banks and spare batteries in their carry-on bags to minimize in-flight safety risks and avoid disruptions. CASA’s message is clear: it’s crucial to understand what items can and cannot be carried aboard and the right way to pack them.
Pip Spence, CEO and Director of Aviation Safety at CASA, emphasized the importance of passengers carefully planning their packing to align with airline safety guidelines. “The average traveler now carries at least four lithium battery-powered devices,” said Spence. “When these items, such as power banks or spare batteries, short-circuit, they can cause fires. Having them in the cabin allows flight crews to respond quickly and effectively.”
In collaboration with industry partners, CASA is working to promote safe packing practices throughout the travel experience, from booking flights to boarding.
Emma Wilson, CEO of Airlines for Australia and New Zealand (A4ANZ), welcomed the new resources provided by CASA, acknowledging the value of educating travelers about potentially hazardous items. “Many passengers may not realize that common items like power banks, vapes, and aerosols are considered dangerous goods with specific restrictions on how they should be packed,” said Wilson. “Airlines fully support this initiative and its implementation.”
Travelers can find detailed guidelines on the rules for packing specific items by visiting the CASA website at casa.gov.au/packright. The site offers information on safe packing methods and details about what is allowed on board.
CASA’s Spence also urged passengers to be respectful and follow crew instructions during flights. “While holiday travel can be stressful, this should never justify disruptive behavior. We urge everyone to treat their fellow passengers with courtesy,” she said.
To ensure safety is upheld, CASA will conduct inspections and audits of airlines and other aviation operations over the holiday season. Passengers should be aware that violations of air safety regulations could result in severe penalties, including fines of up to $15,000 and, in serious cases, imprisonment.
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