The risks have never been higher in air cargo. With the constant growth of e-commerce, batteries and other electronic devices are increasingly being moved through air. This trend is providing airlines with new opportunities for growth but at the same time pose serious safety risks.
FAA data shows the scale of the challenge. In the United States alone, lithium batteries have been involved in 579 aviation-related incidents since 2006, with reported cases rising from 16 in 2015 to 69 in 2024. It is the fastest-growing fire risk airlines face, and every operator knows that a single event at 30,000 feet is one too many.
When cargo catches fire at altitude, there are no second chances. What operators need are two things: time and trust. Time for the crew to act. Time for the pilot to bring the aircraft safely down. And trust – trust that the fire containment solution will perform when it matters most. That it will hold, even in the most extreme, unforgiving conditions. Trip & Co’s FireCape Fire Containment solutions are engineered precisely for those moments.
Containment Designed for Reality
The Trip & Co Fire Containment Cover (FCC) covers, bags, and container kits are the result of years of continuous development, testing, and system refinement. What began as a multi-year R&D program continues today with new FCC variants designed to meet evolving safety requirements and cargo profiles. The goal has always been building a containment system that performs under the toughest conditions imaginable.
Even when compromised, FCC keeps performing. Its advanced multilayer construction continues to block heat and flames even if the cover is damaged or airflow isn’t fully sealed. Unlike other systems that only rely on suffocating a fire, Fire Container Cover’s design allows smoke and gases to escape in a controlled way so aircraft air-handling systems can do their job.
Trip & Co is proud to be among the first to test its Fire Containment Cover solutions using the Sonic Burner method – the gold standard for lithium-ion fire scenarios. And not just for the few minutes required by certification, but for hours on end. Where traditional TSO box-burn tests stop, our Sonic Burner begins, exposing FCC to real flame jets, extreme heat, and full-scale fire conditions. The Trip & Co Fire Containment Cover passed with flying colors.
Certification Where It Counts
Operators face pressure from regulators and insurers as much as from physics. Aviation safety standards are tightening, and the cost of a single incident – in financial, reputational, and human terms – is catastrophic.
That’s why the Trip & Co Fire Containment Cover has gone through the toughest certification processes in the industry. It meets and exceeds FAA and EASA TSO-C203 requirements, including the full-scale box burn tests, and has been verified against FAR 25 Appendix F standards for flame penetration, heat release, and surface flame spread. The Trip & Co Fire Containment Cover has also been tested using the Sonic Burner method to validate performance under direct, high-intensity lithium-ion fire exposure – proving its ability to contain flames, block heat, and maintain structural integrity even under extreme conditions.
These aren’t just certificates on paper. They’re proof that when FCC is called on, it performs.
Built for Operations, Not Just Test Labs
What sets the Trip & Co Fire Containment Cover apart is that it’s as practical as it is powerful. Crews don’t operate in laboratories; they operate in tight timeframes, on the tarmac, under pressure.
Every FCC solution is soft, pliable, and easy to handle, even when crews are moving quickly. It folds neatly, stores compactly, and conforms to irregular loads without gaps. Features such as special-designed tie-down rings, optional ISO 9788 studs, and clear load ID holders aren’t add-ons – they’re part of building equipment that performs under real-world conditions.
Delivery within 24 hours and global repair support mean operators can count on having protection ready, wherever the next flight departs.
Why It Matters
Lithium battery fires are not hypothetical. In recent years, there have been dozens of incidents involving overheating devices and batteries on both passenger and cargo flights. Regulators including the FAA, ICAO, and EASA have all issued new guidance, and airlines are under pressure to show not just compliance, but proactive risk management.
FireCape gives operators that edge. It doesn’t burn, melt, or let flames penetrate. It resists molten metal. It holds up under extreme temperatures without releasing toxic gases. In plain terms: it buys critical minutes when nothing else will.
Raising the Standard
Trip & Co didn’t stop at building a certified cover. We invested in materials science, design innovation, and usability features that make FireCape more than just another piece of equipment.
Operators can choose between different FireCape designs tailored to their operational needs. Standard configurations are optimized for routine cargo protection, while advanced designs are built for higher-risk shipments and extreme fire scenarios. FireCape bags are available for smaller units or PEDs, and full container kits provide complete ULD coverage. This flexibility allows airlines to match the right level of protection to each cargo type and risk category.
FireCape also delivers a major advantage in total cost of ownership. Its construction is stronger and more durable than conventional fire containment covers, while repair and maintenance costs are significantly lower. The combination of high strength, reusability, and easy refurbishment gives operators a far longer service life at a fraction of the replacement cost. For airlines working under tight budgets, the TCO difference is substantial.
The Bottom Line
Cargo fires cost more than money. They cost reputation, customer trust, and – in the worst cases – lives. In a world where lithium batteries are everywhere and regulators are tightening the screws, operators can’t afford half-measures.
Trip & Co’s FireCape Fire Containment solutions are more than compliant. They are tested, certified, and built for the real world. For airlines, forwarders, and ULD leasing companies, that means peace of mind at altitude and new ways to capitalize on the growing demand for moving high-risk cargo through the air.
Contact our team today to learn how Trip & Co’s Fire Containment Cover keeps your fleet safe, compliant, and ready for anything.
