UL Standards & Engagement will convene leaders in the aviation industry for a critical conversation on passenger and cargo safety at the 2026 Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP) Summit in Frankfurt.
Sheraton Frankfurt Airport Hotel & Conference Center
Hugo-Eckener-Ring 15/Terminal 1, 60549
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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What is TRIP?
Lithium-ion battery fires on planes present a significant safety concern for both passenger and cargo flights. UL Standards & Engagement has worked with the aviation industry in the development of the Thermal Runaway Incident Program (TRIP), a voluntary reporting program focused on better understanding lithium-ion battery incidents and related safety issues.
About the 2026 TRIP Summit
The TRIP Summit brings together international aviation safety experts – TRIP participants, passenger and cargo operators, regulators, manufacturers, researchers, and safety organizations – to exchange knowledge and drive progress.
Our Goal
The challenge of safely transporting lithium‑ion cells, batteries, and battery‑powered products continues to evolve as technologies, volumes, and shipping practices change. In response, the TRIP Summit is expanding its program to examine these issues in greater depth and to strengthen shared understanding across the aviation ecosystem.
Since its launch, TRIP has grown to include 35 air carriers and a broad range of aviation stakeholders. While participation has been largely based in North America, thermal runaway incidents represent a global risk that affects passenger airlines, cargo carriers, and the aviation system worldwide.
The goal of the TRIP Summit is to encourage broader international participation and foster collaboration across regions and sectors by creating a forum for sharing data, experiences, and best practices. Additionally, by expanding global engagement, the TRIP Summit aims to strengthen safety measures, improve risk mitigation strategies, and better address lithium‑ion battery transport challenges across the aviation industry.
Agenda Topics
The summit will feature a variety of expert-led presentations and discussions on key topics such as:
- A look at evolving lithium‑ion battery transport risks and thermal runaway behavior in aviation
- Regulatory perspectives and global developments
- Panel discussions with passenger and cargo carriers on real‑world operational challenges and lessons learned
- Data‑driven insights from TRIP
- Technical discussions on detection, suppression, and mitigation of lithium‑ion battery fires onboard aircraft
- Perspectives from industry experts and first responders on preparedness and incident response
- Strategies to advance safety beyond compliance, including design, behavior, and collaboration approaches
Program Leads and Onsite Team
Our onsite team
David Wroth
Senior Director of TRIP
UL Standards & Engagement
Bob McClelland
Senior Program Manager of Transportation Safety
UL Standards & Engagement
Matt Pasha
Director of TRIP and Technology & Systems
UL Standards & Engagement
Dr. Denice Durrant
Director of Engineering and Data Science
UL Standards & Engagement
Sarah Shields
Director of Communication and Outreach
UL Standards & Engagement
Anna Schnerre
Lead Quantitative Insights Analyst
UL Standards & Engagement
Emma Ward
Qualitative Insights Analyst
UL Standards & Engagement
Related Resources
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Expert Perspectives
How to Contain Battery Fires on Planes: What You Need to Know
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Expert Perspectives
Raising Global Awareness of Lithium-Ion Battery Safety in Air Travel
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Expert Perspectives
Four Risks Passengers Need to Know About the Devices They Bring on Planes