Fiji warned to strengthen aviation laws on lithium-Iion battery risks

Fiji needs to strengthen its aviation laws on dangerous goods, particularly lithium–ion batteries and power packs carried in aircraft cabins, which pose a significant safety risk.

Fiji Airways Executive Manager Group Safety and Quality, Captain Josua Cavalevu, raised the concern during the Aviation Bill consultation at the Tanoa Skylodge Hotel in Nadi today.

He referenced reports from New Zealand where authorities have confiscated lithium–ion batteries from cabin bags.

“This is a real emerging risk for us in Fiji Airways, especially with the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries and power packs,” he said.

Captain Cavalevu said Fiji currently has no specific provision addressing this issue and stressed the need to consider such regulations urgently.

He added that while passengers often provide the correct answers during safety questioning, many do not fully understand the dangers associated with these devices.

“The problem is that manufacturers don’t follow a standard. In the Pacific, we often buy the cheapest products available. We carry most of these batteries on regional flights, and I am very wary of transporting them,” he said.

He revealed he recently requested a shipment of batteries be offloaded on a flight from Honolulu to Christmas Island.

“This comes back to having the right regulations in place to mitigate risks. We need to be proactive.”

Captain Cavalevu said airlines are taking steps, but enforcement needs strengthening—especially when bags are transferred from cabin to cargo compartments.

“As a pilot, one of the scariest situations is a fire in the cargo compartment. Fire suppression systems on jet aircraft cannot extinguish lithium-ion battery fires. Our only real option is to get the aircraft down to water. This is an area we need to strengthen.”

CAAF Standard and Compliance executive manager, Sereima Bolanavatu, said the authority would consider legislative amendments.

“We will look into this and take this on board,” she said.

A recent BBC report highlighted a similar incident in South Korea, where a malfunctioning portable power bank is believed to have caused a fire that destroyed an Air Busan aircraft at Gimhae International Airport on 28 January. Three passengers sustained minor injuries.