News / ICAO approves temporary ban on rechargeable lithium batteries on passenger aircraft from April

Smouldering consignment of batteries found at LHR last year

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has approved a temporary ban on the transport of rechargeable lithium batteries in passenger aircraft from April 1 – but it is not binding.

It said the prohibition would remain in force until new packaging standards are found, which is expected by 2018.

At the end of October, ICAO’s dangerous goods panel, comprising countries, manufacturers and IATA, voted 11-7 against a ban.

AP reported at the time that the US, Russia, Brazil, China and Spain, as well as organisations representing airline pilots and ...