The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Council has issued clarifications on its earlier prohibition on the carriage of lithium ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft. Specifically, the UN aviation agency has issued the following clarifications:
Passenger baggage:
- Lithium ion batteries carried by passengers in their personal electronic devices, whether in their carry-on or checked baggage, are not affected by this new restriction.
- Passengers must not pack spare lithium ion batteries in checked baggage. Spares must be packed in carry-on baggage or carried on the person.
Baggage shipped by air as cargo:
- Lithium ion batteries may no longer be packed in baggage shipped independently as cargo.
- Lithium ion batteries in mishandled baggage, or excess passenger baggage shipped as cargo, are permitted so long as they also satisfy the requirements of points 1 and 2 above.
Global versus local government and airline requirements:
- Passengers should verify local government and airline regulations which are set out in order to ensure full compliance with all applicable requirements specific to their voyage.
- The new prohibition is not voluntary and must be adhered to by all 191 State parties to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention).
