Passengers flying from Scotland are being urged to check where they pack phones, power banks and other battery powered devices as airports prepare for another busy late summer weekend.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority issued the reminder as around 2 million passengers are expected to depart from airports across England, Scotland and Wales over the weekend.

More than 13.6 million passengers travelled through Scotland’s four largest airports at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness during the first half of this year.

With many people preparing for a final summer holiday or weekend away, travellers are being warned that putting everyday electronic devices in the wrong luggage could cause problems before they even leave the ground.

Lithium batteries are found in many of the gadgets people routinely take on holiday and can overheat if they become damaged.

Power banks, vapes and spare batteries should therefore travel in hand luggage rather than checked baggage, while passengers are also being told never to charge a power bank during a flight.

Other common devices containing lithium batteries include wireless headphones, laptops, tablets, e readers, smartwatches and cameras.

The Civil Aviation Authority says the average traveller now takes around four different lithium powered devices when flying, making correct packing increasingly important.

Jonathan Nicholson, a spokesperson at the UK Civil Aviation Authority said:

“Whether you’re heading off for some late summer sun, squeezing in a last-minute family holiday or enjoying a long weekend away, a few simple checks before you travel can help your journey get off to the best possible start.

“With the average traveller now packing around four different lithium powered devices when they fly, it is more important than ever to ‘Pack Right for a Safe Flight’.

“Don’t let a simple packing mistake get in the way of your well-earned break!

“Lithium batteries can overheat if damaged, so always take power banks, vapes and phones in the cabin with you, this simple step helps make flying safer for everyone on board.”

The advice is particularly timely for passengers travelling through Scotland’s airports as the final weeks of the traditional summer holiday period bring another wave of departures.

Anyone heading for the airport should check their luggage before leaving home, particularly if power banks or spare batteries have been packed inside a suitcase destined for the aircraft hold.

Taking a few minutes to check where those everyday devices have been packed could avoid an unwanted problem at the airport and help keep the journey running smoothly.