UN panel backs banning lithium-ion battery shipments on passenger planes

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It’s back on the menu again. Despite last year’s vote which saw passenger planes allowed to continue to carry lithium battery shipments in the bellies of passenger aircraft, the position still needs to be ratified by the UN’s aviation body, ICAO. However, ICAO’s air navigation commission is understood to remain opposed to the rule and wants to impose a ban – although, sources also say it would be prepared to relent if new packaging for batteries could be developed. At least three cargo aircraft are believed to have been destroyed by lithium battery fires since 2006.