Safe holiday air travel your priority

These steps can be done both in the air and on the ground to help keep your flights safe.

1. Pack your bags properly – ensure you know what can be carried onboard and what must be checked in, and declare any items you’re not sure about.
2. Respect your crew – they are there to keep you safe. Poor behaviour can disrupt the safety duties of aircraft crew members and cause distractions during critical phases of flight.
3. Listen to instructions – pay attention to your safety briefing, follow the instructions of ground crew when walking across the tarmac and, in the unlikely event of an emergency, leave your baggage behind.

The Civil Aviation Safety Authority provides comprehensive advice on safe air travel and has clear rules in place to keep everyone safe.

CASA’s CEO and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence, says safe air travel starts with packing bags properly, following guidance at airports and listening carefully to instructions from aircraft crew.

“The rules are in place to keep you and others safe,” Ms Spence says.

“Understand the rules about what can be packed in bags are there for your safety. Some items can be taken in your carry-on luggage, some things must be packed in your checked-in luggage, and anything that might pose a risk to the safety of your aircraft can’t be carried on at all.

“Your flight crew has an important role to get you to your destination safely, so do what you can to support them by listening to their instructions, treating them with respect and paying attention to the safety briefing.”

Some items, such as batteries and aerosols, are dangerous in checked-in baggage and are subject to strict safety rules. Spare batteries must never be carried in checked-in luggage as they can pose a fire risk. Always carry spare batteries with you in carry-on bags.

“If you’re not sure what sorts of things are classed as dangerous goods, simply go to the CASA website and search for ‘can I pack that?’ You’ll find guidance to help you figure out what is and isn’t allowed, and how to pack items safely,” Ms Spence says.

“We also recommend you keep your seat belt fastened at all times when you’re onboard to make sure you are restrained if there is any turbulence and always stow cabin baggage so it doesn’t pose a risk to you or other travellers.”

CASA will be conducting checks, inspections and audits of airlines and other aviation operations over the holiday period to ensure high safety standards are being maintained.

If you need to walk on the tarmac to board or leave a flight, carefully follow instructions and never go near aircraft or vehicles.

There are penalties for travellers who break the air safety rules, which can include fines of more than $15,000 and in serious cases imprisonment.

CASA has a wealth of easy-to-follow safety information for air travellers which everyone should use.