IATA releases guide for safely transporting lithium batteries by air

摘要

Lithium batteries are suspected to have played a role in three commercial freighter aircraft fires between 2006 and 2011, and the ongoing concern about transporting the batteries by air has led IATA to issue a 56-page guide to mitigating the risks. IATA's "Lithium Battery Risk Mitigation Guidance for Operators" is available for free online and the organization hopes it will enable parties involved in shipping lithium batteries to have full access to best practices and guidelines. It also is aimed at helping airlines in educating passengers packing lithium batteries in baggage carried in aircraft bellies. "Lithium batteries are safe to transport provided that they are designed, tested, manufactured and packaged in accordance with the global transport safety standards," IATA SVP-safety and flight operations Kevin Hiatt said in announcing the guide's release. "Developed with the input of leading industry groups specialized in the area of handling potentially dangerous goods, the [guide] represents an invaluable source of reference."