Lithium batteries have become such a common, everyday item that they have been taken for granted by consumers, with little thought given to the precautions that need to be taken to ensure lithium batteries do not pose a hazard in air transport. This issue can present itself either in passenger baggage but even more so in air cargo.
Lithium batteries are defined as dangerous goods by the United Nations, which specifies the very stringent manufacturing and testing requirements the batteries must meet. Specific requirements to ensure that they can be carried safely by air in both cargo and baggage are determined by ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and these are then reflected in IATA’s Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Sometimes referred to as ‘primary’ batteries, lithium metal batteries are typically non-rechargeable and used in long-life applications such as watches, calculators and emergency locator beacons. The term lithium metal encompasses lithium alloy batteries and includes those containing sulfuryl chloride and thionyl chloride.
Sometimes referred to ‘secondary’ batteries, lithium ion batteries are rechargeable and used in consumer electronics such as mobile phones and laptop computers and in larger applications such as e-bikes and motor vehicles. The term lithium ion includes lithium polymer and lithium iron phosphate batteries.
Lithium batteries may be dangerous and can cause fire if not carried properly. Whether a lithium battery can be carried by air or not depends on its configuration and its Watt-hour (Wh) rating (for rechargeable lithium-ion/polymer batteries) or Lithium Content (LC) (for non-rechargeable lithium metal batteries).
Passengers travelling to and from the US with lithium batteries should refer to this site for further guidance on limitations associated with the carriage of lithium batteries and other dangerous goods.
Lithium batteries carried in any baggage must conform to the above acceptance criteria. For safety concern, we may refuse further carriage of any excessive and unacceptable batteries upon discovery.
A person guilty of an offence under subarticle (1) of The Airport and Civil Aviation (Security) Act shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine (multa) or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
Please use the following table to determine if the battery you intend to bring is acceptable:
|
Watt-hour Rating (Wh) or (Li Content) |
Examples |
Configuration |
Carry-on Baggage |
Checked Baggage |
Operator Approval |
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|
≤100Wh (2g)
|
|
|
Yes
Yes (no limit) |
No |
No
No |
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|
>100 to≤ 160 Wh
|
|
Spare batteries |
Yes
Yes (two pieces per passenger) |
No |
Yes
Yes |
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|
>160 Wh |
Large lithium batteries and cells primarily for equipment used in industry, and may be found in some electric and hybrid vehicles, mobility devices, scooters, etc
|
Forbidden in any baggage For lithium-ion battery powered wheelchairs or other similar mobility aids for use by passengers whose mobility is restricted by a disability, health/age, or a temporary mobility problem (eg broken leg), please contact our reservations office for assistance.
|
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>300 Wh
|
Battery-powered wheelchairs/ mobility aids with lithium ion batteries (collapsible), lithium ion battery must be removed and carried in the cabin. It is recommended that passengers make advance arrangements with each operator.
|
In equipment
Spare batteries |
Yes( battery must not exceed 300Wh, or for a device that is fitted with 2 batteries , each battery must not exceed 160Wh)
|
No
No |
Yes
Yes |
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|
|
Electronic cigarettes are also called ‘personal vaporizers’ or ‘electronic nicotine delivery system’ are battery powered devices which can cause overheating through the accidental activation of their heating elements resulting in fires.
E-cigarettes |
|
Yes |
No |
No |
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Lithium batteries must be of a type which meets the United Nations (UN) test requirements specified in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III Section 38.3.
Although not recommended, if you need to pack your electronic device in your checked baggage, you have to make sure that the devices are completely switched off and protected from accidental activation. Spare batteries and power banks, however, always have to be transported in your carry-on baggage - never in your checked baggage - and they must be individually protected to prevent short-circuits. E-cigarettes must always be in your hand baggage.
Whether in your carry-on or checked baggage – the battery must not exceed a certain watt-hour (Wh) as indicated in the table above and should be bought from original retailers only and never from untrustworthy sources
Equipment/Electronic devices installed with built-in or plug-in lithium batteries such as laptop computers, cameras, mobile phones etc must be switched off with measures to be taken to ensure that they cannot be accidentally activated when placed in check-in baggage.
Spare batteries
Spare batteries, also called “loose” batteries, are those not installed in equipment. A lithium-ion battery inside your laptop computer is an installed battery. A battery carried separately, as a backup when installed battery runs low, is a spare battery.
Portable battery charger / Power bank (with built-in lithium batteries) used to recharge the lithium-ion batteries contained in equipment, such as mobile phone, is considered as spare lithium battery. Spare batteries, should not be recharged while on board the aircraft. Additionally, power banks should not be connected or providing power to a device while on board the aircraft.
Terminals of all spare lithium batteries placed in carry-on baggage must be protected from short circuit by:
Non-rechargeable batteries with more than 2 grams of lithium (eg ‘C’ size battery and above) are forbidden in any baggage and must be presented and carried as Cargo in accordance with the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations.
Lithium ion cells and batteries that have been identified by the manufacturer as being defective for safety reasons, or that have been damaged, that have the potential of producing a dangerous evolution of heat, fire or short circuit (e.g. those being returned to the manufacturer for safety reasons) can be very dangerous and are prohibited on-board our aircraft.
Small lithium battery powered personal transportation devices, also known as hoverboards, self-balancing devices or gravity boards, were one of the most sold devices recently. However, there have been incidents where these items or their batteries overheated, caught fire and even exploded.
Passengers are not allowed to carry these batteries in their checked bag, as batteries have a rating of 100 Wh or more. Because of the high risk posed by these devices, their carriage is prohibited on-board our aircraft. It is therefore safer to leave these items at home when flying.
Electronic cigarettes cannot be carried in your checked baggage, and must not be used on board our aircraft.
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) contain a battery and a heating element that vaporizes a liquid vapour to simulate tabacco smoking.
Several incidents were reported to the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) involving e-cigarettes overheating resulting in a fire in checked baggage. For this reason, these devices can only be carried in the cabin, and it is forbidden to recharge them while on board the aircraft.
Spare batteries
