These materials, often referred to as dangerous goods or cargo, include substances or articles that can pose a risk to health, safety, property, or the environment.
Some items may endanger the safety of an aircraft or travellers on board, and these dangerous materials can either be forbidden or restricted for air transport.
These can only be transported by air if they are prepared by qualified personnel, unless exempted.
However, some dangerous goods may be carried in baggage by passengers and crew if the specified requirements are met.
Industry guidelines indicate there are restrictions on carrying lithium batteries, small lithium battery powered vehicles and battery-powered mobility aids in an aircraft.
All portable electronic devices (PED) carried on an aircraft are subject to specific requirements to ensure that they do not pose a hazard to aircraft systems due to electromagnetic radiation.
PEDs, which may include electronics such as cameras, mobile phones, laptops and tablets containing batteries, when carried by passengers for personal use, should be carried in carry-on baggage.
If devices are carried in checked baggage, experts say, measures must be taken to protect the device from damage and to prevent unintentional activation and the device must be completely switched off (not in sleep or hibernation mode).
Spare lithium batteries: Spare batteries must be individually protected to prevent short circuits by placement in the original
retail packaging or by otherwise insulating terminals, e.g. by taping over exposed terminals or placing each battery in a separate plastic bag or protective pouch and carried in carry-on baggage only.
Articles containing lithium cells or batteries, the primary purpose of which is to provide power to another device, e.g. power banks, are considered as spare batteries and are restricted to carry-on baggage only.
Electronic cigarettes including e-cigars and other personal vapourisers containing batteries when carried by passengers for personal use must be in carry-on baggage only.
Recharging of these devices and/or batteries on board the aircraft is not permitted and the passenger must take measures to prevent accidental activation.
For a baggage equipped with lithium battery, other than lithium button cells to be checked in, the lithium battery must be removed from the baggage and carried in the cabin; or the baggage must be carried in the cabin.
Baggage where the lithium battery is designed to charge other devices and cannot be removed, is forbidden for carriage.
Recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) extended their long-standing co-operation on setting and implementing global standards for the safe carriage of dangerous goods by air.
IATA began issuing guidance for the carriage of Dangerous Goods on aircraft back in 1956 and has been updating and devising standards ever since.
A more formalised approach on this subject was taken at a regulatory level by the adoption of ICAO Annex 18 in January 1984. This outlines the broad principles for the international transport of dangerous goods.
‘Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air’ amplify the basic provisions of Annex 18 and contain all the detailed instructions necessary for the safe international transport of dangerous goods by air. In addition, they provide guidance to States for inspection and oversight.
Based on the technical instructions agreed on at government level through ICAO, IATA works with the aviation industry to develop the applicable practical tools and operational recommendations.
These are issued as the ‘Dangerous Goods Regulations’ and are global standards applicable to the entire value chain – manufacturers, shippers, airlines, freight forwarders and ground handlers.
These regulations include operator variations, supporting documents, tools, guidelines and notes which are essential for a practical, consistent approach to the safe acceptance, inspection, handling and carriage of dangerous goods on aircraft.
IATA’s Director General Willie Walsh noted: “The safe carriage of dangerous goods has become common practice, thanks to the strict adherence to global standards and guidelines. Today’s agreement ensures that dangerous goods will continue to be handled according to the highest globally applicable standards. To this effect, IATA will continue its advocacy work with key stakeholders to maintain a globally aligned, and practically focused approach to the regulated transport of dangerous goods. This will lead to more efficient and robust supply chains whilst upholding aviation’s number one priority of safety”.
Certainly, the carriage of dangerous goods on aircraft requires strict adherence to regulations, comprehensive training, effective communication, and a strong focus on safety to mitigate the associated risks and ensure the well-being of passengers, crew, and the general public.
