Based on intelligence regarding possible terrorist interest in smuggling explosive devices hidden in consumer electronics onto commercial aircraft, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Transportation Security Administration on March 20 announced new restrictions requiring that personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cell phone or smart phone be placed in checked baggage on U.S.-bound flights from 10 airports primarily located in the Middle East. A day later, the United Kingdom unveiled similar restrictions on U.K.-bound flights from six countries.
The obvious safety issue is that the restrictions mean numerous lithium battery–powered devices are going to end up in cargo holds on hundreds of flights a week. While current International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines allow lithium batteries below a certain size that are installed in equipment to be carried in checked baggage, the consensus is that it’s preferable for PEDs to be carried in the passe…
