ICAO votes to ban lithium batteries on passenger flights

   After a meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organization’s Dangerous Goods Panel last week, ICAO has banned the shipment of lithium metal batteries as cargo aboard passenger aircraft.
   According to an update sent out Wednesday by the Airforwarders Association, the prohibition does not extend to batteries carried by passengers or batteries contained in packed equipment.
   The ban now must be approved by the Air Navigation Commission, the parent committee to the Dangerous Goods Panel. ICAO has said a full report of the meeting is expected to be on its website this week.
   “While bulk shipments of lithium metal batteries are banned on passenger flights in the U.S., international rules differ,” Brandon Fried, AfA executive director, wrote in an email to members. “We will continue to monitor the situation as this decision could have a significant impact on you and your shippers.”