Despite concern about the risk posed by allowing large lithium battery–powered personal electronic devices (PEDs) to be carried in checked baggage on passenger flights, the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO’s) Dangerous Goods Panel (DGP) rejected a proposal that would have restricted large PEDs to the passenger cabin unless cargo placement was approved by the operator. Instead, the DGP, meeting in October in Montreal, decided to wait for guidance from the ICAO Council.
In related developments, many of the world’s largest scheduled commercial airlines soon will prohibit passengers from bringing battery-equipped “smart luggage” on board unless the battery is removable and can be carried in the passenger cabin if the luggage itself must be checked. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released guidance to its inspectors on the use of onboard fire containment devices.
