ICAO to consider tightening rules on lithium batteries

ICAO is to consider imposing further restrictions on the carriage of lithium batteries on cargo and passenger airliners, highlighting escalating concerns over potential fire hazards. ICAO previously imposed a worldwide ban on the bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries — the most fire-prone type of lithium power cells — in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. Now opinion appears to be shifting to proposals, advocated by pilot unions and outside experts, to possibly extend a version of that prohibition to cargo aircraft. ICAO will discuss the proposal in a meeting in Germany this week. Tests by the US FAA revealed