The Aviation Safety Agency (AvSec) has issued a warning about the legality of some items and gifts that may be taken away when traveling by air this summer.

When the Auckland border reopens on December 15, AvSec expects commercial passenger flights across Aotearoa to increase by 400%.

In order to avoid becoming a bad guy at Christmas, it has published a list of common items that will cause you trouble when traveling by air this summer.

Give mobile phones, tablets, airbags or mobile power supplies this Christmas? All these items need to be placed in carry-on luggage, not in checked luggage. After checking your checked baggage, you will find that these items have been removed. 

why? Most of these items have lithium batteries that are classified as dangerous goods. 

Although extremely rare, there have also been cases of lithium battery explosions in cargo compartments, which would be catastrophic and even fatal for passenger aircraft.

Did you buy power tools for the DIY guy in your house? Put these gifts in your checked luggage. 

Some tools and power tools can be put in carry-on luggage, but there are regulations on the length of metal shafts on screwdrivers, chisels and drills. These items are restricted because they can be used as weapons in flight.

Nerf guns, toy guns, toy lightsabers, toy swords-there are many toys that look like weapons. They all need to be put in your checked luggage. If you put them in your carry-on luggage, the items may need to be "voluntarily discarded" at the security checkpoint.

The same goes for fancy gifts that look like "genuine", such as plastic grenades and fake guns filled with liquids or toiletries. Put these in your checked luggage.

At this time of year, officials will always see party fireworks and fireworks in people’s luggage. 

Neither is allowed on the plane. Party poppers contain a kind of dynamite that produces pop music and pops streamers/confetti, and fireworks also contain dynamite. It is best to leave both of these things at home.

These are the number one items that cause problems for passengers at security checkpoints. Batteries need to be carried with them, and each passenger can carry up to 20 batteries. 

Each spare battery needs to be individually protected in a retail package, protective bag, separate bag, or taped to cover the exposed terminals. Batteries are not allowed in checked baggage.

We have formulated these rules for certain restricted items because they may or may pose a security risk. 

AvSec manager Karen Unwin said that the organization checks millions of pieces of luggage each year, and if people know which bag they are in, many items that are often removed can be avoided.

“Tools, air compartments, mobile power supplies, and batteries are usually very expensive items. Passengers usually don’t want to give up these items. But if people take the time to check the rules on our website, they will find that most items can be carried on the plane. One question is whether it can be put in your checked or carry-on luggage," Unwin said.

"This season, my advice to passengers is to check what can be boarded and what can't be boarded, and allow extra time to pass through security when they arrive at the airport, because there may be a large number of passengers queuing again.

"Don't wear big boots or coats, empty your pockets to make your security check easier. We have to re-check many passengers who forget to take keys or coins from their pockets."