ICAO Prohibits Lithium-Ion Cargo Shipments on Passenger Aircraft

The ICAO has adopted a new aviation safety measure which prohibits, on an interim basis, all shipments of Lithium-ion batteries as cargo on passenger aircraft.

The council’s decision, effective 1 April 2016, pertains only to Lithium-ion batteries shipped as cargo on passenger aircraft, and not to those contained in personal electronic devices carried by passengers or crew.

The decision follows extensive reviews undertaken by the ICAO Air Navigation Commission, and the UN agency’s Dangerous Goods, Flight Operations, and Airworthiness panels.

“Safety is always our most fundamental priority in international civil aviation,” said Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, ICAO Council President. “This interim prohibition will continue to be in force as separate work continues through ICAO on a new lithium battery packaging performance standard, currently expected by 2018.” 

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