Regulations & Safety
Southwest Airlines Enforces Charger Visibility to Prevent In-Flight Fires
Southwest’s 2025 policy requires visible chargers during flights to address lithium battery fire risks. FAA reports 19+ incidents in 2025, prompting industry-wide safety reviews.
Southwest Airlines’ New Charger Visibility Policy: A Response to Lithium Battery Fire Risks
In an era where portable devices are ubiquitous, the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries have become an increasing concern for the aviation industry. Southwest Airlines, one of the largest low-cost carriers in the United States, recently announced a new policy requiring passengers to keep portable chargers visible during flights. The initiative, which takes effect on May 28, 2025, is the first of its kind in the airline industry and aims to mitigate fire hazards associated with lithium battery-powered devices.
This move comes in the wake of a growing number of battery-related incidents aboard commercial flights. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), there have been at least 19 such incidents in 2025 alone. These events range from overheating to small onboard fires, prompting airlines and regulatory bodies to rethink existing safety protocols. Southwest’s policy marks a proactive step toward enhancing onboard safety through visibility and early detection.
As the use of portable electronics continues to grow, so does the complexity of managing their safety risks. This article explores the rationale behind Southwest’s new policy, the broader industry context, and what it means for passengers, airlines, and regulators moving forward.
Understanding the Lithium Battery Risk
What Makes Lithium-Ion Batteries Risky?
Lithium-ion batteries are the power source behind most modern portable electronics, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and power banks. While generally safe, these batteries can pose significant hazards under certain conditions, such as overheating, physical damage, or manufacturing defects. One of the most dangerous outcomes is thermal runaway—a process where the battery’s internal temperature rapidly increases, potentially leading to fire or explosion.
In the confined environment of an aircraft cabin, even a minor fire can escalate quickly. This is particularly concerning when chargers are stored in carry-on bags or overhead compartments, where any signs of malfunction may go unnoticed by the crew. The FAA currently prohibits spare lithium-ion batteries in checked luggage, but Southwest’s policy extends this by focusing on in-use devices during flight.
The FAA’s data underscores the urgency of the issue. In 2024, there were 89 incidents involving lithium batteries during air travel, marking a 16% increase from the previous year. These incidents have prompted not only U.S. airlines but also international carriers to reassess safety measures related to portable electronics.
“Nothing is more important to Southwest than the Safety of its Customers and Employees,” Southwest Airlines statement, May 2025
Southwest’s Policy: What It Entails
Southwest Airlines’ new policy mandates that passengers keep portable chargers and power banks visible while in use during a flight. Specifically, passengers are prohibited from using these devices while they are stored in bags or overhead bins. Instead, they must be placed in plain sight, allowing flight attendants to monitor for signs of malfunction such as smoke, heat, or unusual odors.
This visibility requirement is designed to enable quicker response times in the event of a battery incident. If a device begins to overheat, crew members can act swiftly to contain the situation, potentially preventing a fire from spreading. The airline has emphasized that this is a “first-in-industry” safety measure, reflecting its commitment to proactive risk management.
Passengers are encouraged to use only certified charging devices and avoid charging electronics in confined or poorly ventilated spaces, such as seat pockets or beneath blankets. The airline has updated its website with detailed guidelines on battery safety and compliance expectations.
Global Trends and Regulatory Context
Southwest is not alone in addressing the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries. Airlines in countries such as South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand have also implemented restrictions on power bank usage during flights. In January 2025, a fire onboard an Air Busan flight was attributed to a portable charger, prompting a full evacuation and further scrutiny of battery safety protocols.
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has issued global guidelines for the safe transport of lithium batteries, and the FAA continues to update its recommendations based on incident data. However, enforcement and specific policies vary by airline and jurisdiction, leading to a patchwork of regulations that can be confusing for international travelers.
As the global market for portable chargers reached an estimated $16 billion in 2024, the scale of potential risk is significant. The sheer volume of devices being carried onboard commercial flights highlights the need for consistent and enforceable safety standards across the aviation industry.
Expert Perspectives and Industry Implications
Expert Opinions on the Policy
Experts in battery safety and aviation have largely welcomed Southwest’s new policy, viewing it as a sensible and timely response to a known risk. Dr. Emily Carter, a researcher at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), noted that visibility is a critical factor in early detection. “Visibility policies help crew members detect early signs of battery overheating, such as smoke or unusual heat, allowing for quicker intervention,” she said. “However, comprehensive safety also depends on passenger education and the use of certified charging devices.”
Captain Mark Reynolds, a veteran pilot and safety consultant, echoed this sentiment. “While the risk of lithium battery fires is relatively low, the consequences can be severe. Airlines must balance operational feasibility with safety, and policies like Southwest’s are a sensible compromise.”
These perspectives underscore the broader challenge faced by airlines: managing the tension between passenger convenience and safety. As more devices are brought onboard, the need for clear, enforceable policies becomes increasingly important.
Opportunities and Challenges for Implementation
Implementing a charger visibility policy presents logistical challenges. Flight attendants must be trained to recognize signs of battery failure and to enforce the policy consistently across all flights. Additionally, passengers may initially be unaware of the new rules, requiring effective communication through pre-flight announcements, signage, and online resources.
There is also the question of compliance. Unlike carry-on size restrictions, which are easily measurable, determining whether a charger is “visible” may be more subjective. Airlines will need to develop clear criteria and empower their staff to make judgment calls in real-time.
Despite these hurdles, the benefits of early detection and rapid response are compelling. By making chargers visible, Southwest aims to reduce the time between the onset of a battery malfunction and the crew’s ability to respond, potentially averting serious incidents.
Broader Implications for the Airline Industry
Southwest’s policy may signal a shift in how airlines approach onboard battery safety. Other carriers are likely to observe the outcomes and consider similar measures, particularly if the policy proves effective in preventing incidents. Regulatory bodies may also use this as a case study to inform future guidelines and international standards.
For manufacturers, the increased scrutiny may drive demand for safer battery technologies and improved certification processes. As manufacturers and regulators push for higher safety standards, the electronics industry will face pressure to innovate and ensure compliance.
Ultimately, these developments reflect a broader trend: the intersection of technology, safety, and regulation in a rapidly evolving travel landscape. As devices become more powerful and portable, the systems designed to manage their risks must evolve in tandem.
Conclusion
Southwest Airlines’ decision to require visible chargers during flight represents a proactive and considered response to a growing safety concern. With at least 19 lithium battery incidents reported by the FAA in 2025 alone, the airline’s new policy is both timely and necessary. By mandating visibility, Southwest aims to empower its crew to respond swiftly to potential hazards, minimizing the risk to passengers and aircraft.
As other airlines and regulators evaluate similar strategies, this policy could become a benchmark for future safety protocols. The success of such measures will depend not only on enforcement but also on passenger awareness and industry cooperation. In a world increasingly reliant on portable power, safety must remain at the forefront of innovation and policy-making.
FAQ
Why is Southwest requiring chargers to be visible during flights?
To enhance safety by allowing flight attendants to quickly detect and respond to any signs of battery overheating or malfunction.
Can I still bring a power bank on a Southwest flight?
Yes, but if you use it during the flight, it must be kept out of bags and in plain sight.
Are other airlines adopting similar policies?
Some international airlines have implemented restrictions, and others are reviewing policies in light of recent incidents.
Sources
- FoxNews
- AP News
- FAA
- NIST
- ICAO
- Market Research 2024
Photo Credit: DallasMorningNews
Regulations & Safety
FAA Proposes Torque Inspection AD for 980 Airbus Helicopters
FAA NPRM targets AS350, AS355, and EC130 helicopters over a nut retainer coating flaw that risks main rotor servo-control disconnection.
This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a new airworthiness directive (AD) mandating torque inspections on the main rotor servo-controls of 980 Airbus Helicopters AS350, AS355, and EC130 aircraft registered in the United States.
Published as a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) on October 19, 2026, the regulatory action addresses a mechanical vulnerability where paint or protective coating on a nut retainer can cause a loss of tightening torque. If left undetected, the FAA warns this condition could lead to the disconnection of the upper ball bearing end from the main rotor (MR) servo-control. Such a failure would result in a complete loss of helicopter control.
Inspection requirements and compliance timelines
The proposed directive targets specific members of the Airbus Helicopters Ecureuil family. The affected models include the AS350B3, AS355F, AS355F1, AS355F2, AS355N, AS355NP, EC130B4, and EC130T2 helicopters. Under the FAA proposal, operators must perform an initial inspection of the nut tightening torque on the upper ball bearing end of all MR servo-controls within 165 flight hours or six months, whichever occurs first.
The NPRM also outlines strict requirements for follow-up inspections to ensure ongoing safety. Any time an MR servo-control featuring an affected part is installed or reinstalled on an aircraft, maintenance personnel must conduct a subsequent torque check. This secondary inspection must take place between two and 10 flight hours after the installation is complete.
The FAA is accepting public comments on the NPRM through December 3, 2026. Following the closure of the comment period, the agency is expected to review industry feedback and issue a final rule mandating the inspections. The current regulatory action is classified as an interim measure. Airbus Helicopters is actively developing a permanent design change to the nut retainer that will eliminate the problematic paint or protective coating entirely, which will likely prompt further regulatory updates once certified.
Tracing the servo-control vulnerability
The engineering investigation that led to the current NPRM originated with a different Airbus Helicopters product line. In 2024, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) received reports of two separate instances where torque was lost between the upper ball bearing end and the MR servo-control on Dauphin and EC155 helicopters. In one of those documented cases, the components completely disconnected in flight.
That discovery prompted EASA to issue an AD for the Dauphin family on June 6, 2024. The FAA subsequently mirrored that action with its own directive for U.S.-registered Dauphin helicopters on July 10, 2025. Following those initial reports, Airbus Helicopters launched a broader engineering analysis to determine the root cause of the torque loss. The manufacturer concluded that the presence of paint or protective coating on the lock washer and nut retainer compromised the friction required to maintain proper tightening torque over time.
During this investigation, the manufacturer determined that the AS350, AS355, and EC130 families share this exact design vulnerability in their main rotor flight control systems. In response to these findings, Airbus Helicopters issued Alert Service Bulletins on April 1, 2026, mandating torque checks across the affected Ecureuil fleet. EASA followed up by issuing AD 2026-0132 on July 8, 2026, to mandate the inspections for European operators. The FAA publication of the NPRM on October 19, 2026, aligns U.S. regulations with the European mandates.
Market context and fleet impact
The Airbus Helicopters Ecureuil family, currently marketed under the H125 and H130 designations, represents one of the most successful light utility helicopter programs in aviation history. Airbus Helicopters has delivered more than 7,200 Ecureuil family aircraft worldwide.
The large number of affected U.S. aircraft reflects the heavy utilization of the type across the country. The AS350 and EC130 platforms are heavily utilized across the aviation industry for critical missions, including law enforcement, emergency medical services, aerial firefighting, powerline maintenance, and passenger transport. The 980 helicopters of U.S. registry represent a significant portion of the active domestic rotorcraft fleet.
AirPro News analysis
The sheer volume of U.S.-registered aircraft affected by this NPRM highlights the industry reliance on the AS350 and EC130 platforms. With 980 airframes requiring initial and recurring torque checks, maintenance providers and fleet operators will need to carefully schedule these inspections to avoid grounding critical public service assets. Because the FAA 165-hour compliance window is relatively short for high-utilization operators like air medical and police units, we expect a rapid mobilization of maintenance personnel once the final rule is published. The recurring inspection requirement for newly installed parts will also add a layer of logistical complexity for maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities until Airbus Helicopters can field its permanent hardware redesign.
Photo Credit: Airbus
Regulations & Safety
Istanbul to Host International Aviation Law Conference on Sanctions, Drones and AI
Hudson Morgan Williams’ International Aviation Law Conference, November 5–6, 2026, features former ICAO Council President Salvatore Sciacchitano as keynote speaker and six panels ranging from arbitration to eVTOLs.
The International Aviation Law Conference will take place in Istanbul, Türkiye, on November 5–6, 2026, bringing together aviation lawyers, regulators, academics and airline and airport executives. The event opens with an invitation-only gala dinner on Thursday, November 5, followed by a full conference day at the Çırağan Palace Kempinski on Friday, November 6. The organisers expect more than 300 attendees and more than 20 speakers.
The conference is organised by Hudson Morgan Williams, a London-based law firm, which describes it as the first Aviation Law Conference in Istanbul. AirPro News is a media partner of the conference.
Six panels, from arbitration to eVTOLs
The conference day opens with a panel on the future of aviation law and the role of arbitration courts, covering aircraft lease and financing disputes, aviation insurance and liability, and contract enforcement. A second panel looks at sanctions and their impact on aviation, including leasing and finance, compliance and jurisdictional challenges. A third turns to the integration of drones into global airspace, from defence and border-security drones to unmanned traffic management and passenger drones.
After the networking lunch, Salvatore Sciacchitano gives the keynote speech at 13:50. The afternoon panels cover how AI will shape the future of aviation, including liability, insurance and regulation; how smart airports and cost-effective airlines can make aviation cheaper to operate; and urban air mobility and eVTOL aircraft, with certification, vertiport regulation, passenger rights, insurance and noise on the agenda.
The organisers note that the programme and speakers are subject to change, and the line-up for each panel has not been announced yet.
Speakers
Sciacchitano led the ICAO Council from 2020 to 2025, a period that included the adoption of the long-term goal of net-zero carbon emissions for international aviation by 2050. He previously served as Executive Secretary of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) and as Deputy Director General of ENAC, Italy’s civil aviation authority, and is now an ICAO Goodwill Ambassador.
Güliz Öztürk has been CEO of Pegasus Airlines since 2022, after serving as the airline’s Chief Commercial Officer from 2010.
Speakers listed on the conference website also include:
- Selahattin Bilgen, CEO of İGA Istanbul Airport
- Utku Coşar, independent arbitrator and Vice President of the LCIA Court
- Prof. Dr. Elmar Giemulla, professor of aviation law and attorney in Berlin and New York
- Prof. Francesca Pellegrino, Professor of Air and Space Law at the University of Messina
- Haydar Yalçın, former Deputy Director General of Türkiye’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation
- Tasman Tam, barrister in Hong Kong
- Afgan Bakhishov, Advisor to the Chairman of Azerbaijan Airlines
- Mesut Yılmaz, eVTOL Program Director at Gözen Holding
Pegasus Airlines and Corendon Airlines are among the conference’s sponsors, alongside the Turkic Arbitration Association, the International Institute of Air and Space Law at Leiden University, Özyeğin University and Studio Legale Pierallini, with Argela as a supporter.
Why Istanbul
Istanbul is the home base of Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines, and İGA Istanbul Airport ranks among Europe’s busiest airports. The city will also host the Istanbul Aviation Forum on April 27–28, 2027.
How to attend
Tickets for the conference day cost €250 per attendee, and the gala dinner is by invitation only. The full programme, speaker list and registration are available on the International Aviation Law Conference 2026 website.
The conference is also listed in the AirPro News Aviation & Aerospace Events Calendar 2026–2027.
Photo Credit: Hudson Morgan Williams
Regulations & Safety
FAA Proposes Pilot Dashboard for AWOS and ASOS Outage Reports
The FAA seeks public comments on a Surface Weather Status Dashboard letting pilots report AWOS and ASOS outages directly.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking public comments on a proposed Surface Weather Status Dashboard that will allow pilots and other National Airspace System (NAS) users to crowdsource reports of outages and erroneous data from automated airport weather systems.
Published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2026, the 30-day notice outlines an information collection initiative designed to improve real-time situational awareness. By integrating user-submitted trouble tickets directly into the agency’s maintenance workflow, the FAA aims to expedite repairs for critical weather infrastructure.
Streamlining weather system maintenance
The new dashboard will be hosted on the existing FAA Aviation Weather Cameras website. The agency estimates that completing a report will take a user approximately one minute, with an anticipated volume of 1,825 reports submitted annually.
Once a pilot flags an issue with an Automated Weather Observing System (AWOS) or Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS), the data will undergo verification before entering the official maintenance queue.
“It is anticipated that the information collected will be used after verification to create reports that will trigger trouble tickets within the FAA’s Remote Monitoring and Logging System (RMLS) for corrective action to be taken by the responsible parties, such as technicians within the FAA, NOAA, and non-federal entities,” the FAA stated in its filing.
The primary benefit for pilots in the air or during preflight planning is the rapid update of system status. According to the FAA, once a trouble ticket is logged in the RMLS, the Aviation Weather Cameras website will capture and display the real-time service status of the affected automated weather station within 30 minutes.
Operational impact of automated weather data
AWOS and ASOS installations are critical infrastructure for aviation safety. These automated stations provide continuous, real-time weather information, typically broadcast via radio frequency and distributed globally as Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs).
When these systems experience outages or transmit erroneous data, the operational impact can be severe. Pilots relying on accurate altimeter settings, visibility measurements, and cloud ceiling data may be forced to delay departures, divert to alternate airports, or cancel operations entirely.
The FAA noted that the data collected through the new dashboard will serve a dual purpose, facilitating immediate maintenance dispatch while also informing long-term infrastructure planning. The agency stated that because the collected information will be site-specific, it may be used to update future policy decisions regarding surface weather infrastructure, approvals, and audits.
Evolution of the Weather Camera Program
The integration of the Surface Weather Status Dashboard into the FAA’s weather camera portal builds on a decades-long effort to improve weather visibility for pilots. The FAA Weather Camera Program originated in 1999 in Alaska, initially designed to give pilots operating under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) actual views of current weather conditions in remote, mountainous areas where weather reporting was sparse.
Since its inception, the program has expanded to over 600 locations across the United States. The FAA credits the camera network with significantly reducing weather-related flight interruptions and accidents.
Recently, the FAA has been expanding its broader camera network by adding new locations and deploying Visual Weather Observation Systems. These newer installations combine high-resolution imagery with automated surface-weather sensors to provide a more comprehensive picture of airport conditions. The addition of the Surface Weather Status Dashboard is a congressionally mandated enhancement to this existing platform.
Regulatory timeline and next steps
The regulatory process for the dashboard began earlier in the year. On May 11, 2026, the FAA published the initial 60-day comment period notice in the Federal Register to solicit industry feedback on the concept.
The October 6, 2026, publication serves as the 30-day notice, formally requesting approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the information collection process.
Public comments on the proposal are due by November 5, 2026. Following the close of the comment period, the FAA will seek final clearance from the OMB to implement the data collection webform and launch the dashboard to the public.
AirPro News analysis
We view the implementation of a crowdsourced reporting tool for AWOS and ASOS infrastructure as a pragmatic shift in how the FAA manages the National Airspace System. Historically, the agency has relied on automated self-reporting diagnostics or internal monitoring to detect sensor failures. However, pilots on the ground or on approach frequently identify discrepancies, such as a frozen precipitation gauge, a stuck wind direction sensor, or an uncalibrated altimeter setting, long before the system flags itself as degraded.
By formalizing a feedback loop that takes only a minute for a pilot to complete, the FAA is effectively deputizing thousands of daily airspace users as quality control inspectors. If the agency can consistently meet its stated goal of updating the public-facing service status within 30 minutes of a verified report, this dashboard will significantly reduce the latency between a localized weather system failure and the broader aviation community being alerted to the hazard.
Photo Credit: Stock – Canva
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