Lithium-ion batteries have been a significant part of aviation for the past decade. Applications have been used in systems such as avionics backup power supplies, emergency lighting, ELT’s, powering auxiliary equipment (crew cabin phones, cabin doors), uninterrupted power systems (UPS), and even engine start batteries for commercial jets (B787), fighter jets and drones.
Most batteries are generally safe for air travel but sometimes they can short-circuit and overheat and cause sparks or a fire.
Examples of lithium batteries
- Small lithium batteries and cells (<100Wh) - mobile phones, cameras, watches, portable music players, most original laptop computer batteries
- Medium lithium batteries and cells (100-160Wh) - extended life batteries for laptop computers and batteries used by audiovisual professionals
- Large lithium batteries and cells (>160Wh) - found in some electric and hybrid vehicles, mobility devices or scooters
Packing spare batteries
- Don’t let a loose battery come into contact with metal objects (e.g., coins, keys, or jewelry).
- Place each battery in a protective case, plastic bag, or leave it in its original packaging when possible. You can also place tape across the battery's contacts to isolate terminals (noted by the + and – symbols) to prevent short-circuiting.
- Prevent crushing, puncturing, or putting a pressure on the battery, as this can cause an internal short circuit and result in overheating (thermal runaway)
- Lithium ion/metal batteries are prohibited as spares in checked baggage.
Accidents due to lithium batteries
There have been airplane accidents due to lithium batteries, resulting in both loss of equipment and life:
On flights Asiana Airlines Cargo Flight 991 (July 28th, 2011) and UPS Airlines Flight 6 (September 3rd, 2010), both Flight crews lost their lives when their B747-400 freighters went down due to fire in the cargo holds caused by lithium batteries.
The following table will give you some guidance on the carriage and acceptance of lithium batteries carried by passengers or crew as carry-on baggage or checked baggage. (see next page)
| Type of Battery There is no limit to the number of batteries or devices carried for personal use unless specified below. | Allowed in carry-on baggage? | Allowed in checked baggage? | ||
| In equipment | Spares | In equipment | Spares | |
| Dry alkaline batteries | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
| Dry rechargeable – Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), etc. | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
| Lithium ion (rechargeable lithium, lithium polymer, LIPO) as used in small consumer electronics, such as cell phones, tablets, tools, cameras, PDAs, and laptops. Limited to 100 watt hours3 or less per battery. | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
YES E-cigarettes and vaporizers are prohibited in checked baggage. |
NO |
| Larger lithium ion, 101-160 watt hours3 per battery—with airline approval. Limits: Two spare batteries per passenger— with airline approval. |
YES Airline approval required |
YES When protected from damage and short circuit, and… Airline approval required |
YES Airline approval required |
NO |
| Lithium metal (non-rechargeable) as used in small consumer electronics such as cameras, LED flashlights, watches, etc. (2 grams or less lithium per battery). | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit |
YES E-cigarettes and vaporizers are prohibited in checked baggage. |
NO |
| Nonspillable wet batteries (absorbed electrolyte) for portable electronic devices, 12 volts and 100 watt hours3 per battery. | YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit and in strong packaging. Battery and outer packaging must be marked “nonspillable.” |
YES | YES When protected from damage and short circuit and in strong packaging. Battery and outer packaging must be marked “nonspillable.” |
Sources: - FAA, http://www.faa.gov/Go/PackSafe September 09th, 2016
- B.O.M. 9.1 table 2.3.A
With immediate effect, ALL ‘Smart Luggage’ are PROHIBITED on Surinam Airways’ flights if the lithium battery cannot be removed.
The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) Dangerous Goods Board has decided to restrict the carriage of so-called “smart luggage” (baggage with integrated lithium batteries) on passenger aircraft operated by its 275-member airlines around the world.
Effective January 15th, 2018, bags equipped with a lithium battery shall only be accepted for carriage if it is possible to remove the battery from the bag. “Baggage where the lithium battery cannot be removed is forbidden for carriage” on IATA member airlines.
Bags with the battery installed must be transported as carry-on luggage. If a smart bag is to fly as checked baggage, the battery must be removed and carried in the passenger cabin.
Examples of “smart” luggage include features such as:
- Lithium ion battery and motor allowing it to be used as a personal transportation device, either as a stand-up scooter, or sit on vehicle. These devices do not meet the criteria of a mobility device.
- Lithium ion battery power bank that allows charging of other electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
- GPS tracking devices with or without GSM capability.
- Bluetooth, RFID and Wi-Fi capability.
- Electronic baggage tags.
- Electronic lock/s.
- Lithium ion battery, motor and tracking device (GPS) allowing the bag to self-propel and ‘follow’ the owner.
Sources:
- https://flightsafety.org/iata-airlines-restrict-carriage-smart-luggage-beginning-jan-15/
- https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/safety/Documents/IATA-Guidance-on-Smart-Baggage-with-integrated-lithium-batteries-and-electronics.pdf
Let us all work together in keeping our operations at an acceptable Safety Level!
With immediate effect and until further notice, ALL ‘Self Balancing Devices’ containing a Lithium-ion battery are PROHIBITED on Surinam Airways’ flights as checked-in or carry-on luggage.
These Lithium batteries may overheat and catch fire due to a manufacturing defect, damage or when not handled/stored correctly. The fire can be extremely difficult to put out but may be able to be suppressed using a Class D (Metal fire) fire extinguisher or any other type/class of fire extinguisher (A/B/C).
Lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods and shall be handled accordingly.
This restriction applies to all Lithium battery operated self-balancing devices such as hoverboards, self-balancing scooters, gravity boards, e-skates etc. which are NOT allowed as checked-in or carry-on luggage.
Let us all work together in keeping our operations at an acceptable Safety Level!
