Civil Aviation Authority urges passengers to pay attention to the requirement on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft

Summer has arrived and the academic institutions are gradually approaching their term end. Most students have started enjoying their summer vacation and many Macao residents are planning to take their outbound travels. The peak time for summer travelling is at its advent. Due to the fact that much travelling is done by air means, the Civil Aviation Authority of Macao SAR (AACM) takes this opportunity to urge passengers to pay attention to and comply with the requirement on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft, so that the chance of causing delay during the security screening for checked-in baggage will be minimized.

Today, most of the electronic devices such as the cellular phones, the computer notebooks, the cameras and so on, are powered by lithium batteries. AACM points out that lithium batteries, be them simply small or mini in size, will cause fire if they are not handled or kept in a proper manner. This will then cause serious threat to aircraft safety. If the fire incident takes place in an en-route flight, the result can be disastrous. Therefore, lithium batteries are classified as dangerous goods by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Organization has issued a guideline on the carriage of lithium batteries on board an aircraft and recommends all states or administrations to adopt it and formulate relevant requirement that is applicable to their own area.

AACM published the Aeronautical Circular with reference number of AC/AGA/009R01 on 1 October 2012 stipulating the restrictions on carriage of lithium batteries by passengers or crew. In accordance with this circular, all departing passengers must comply with the following provisions when carrying lithium batteries on aircraft: (Wh = Watt hour = Amps x Voltage)

Lithium batteries of 100Wh or less must be carried in cabin or hand carry baggage but not in checked-in baggage;

Lithium batteries of more than 100Wh, OR if for health reasons or other special reasons passengers must carry mobility aids or portable medical electronic devices that are powered by lithium batteries, passengers must make the request to the aircraft operator. With the approval of the aircraft operator, passengers can then follow the instructions of the aircraft operator to put the batteries in hand carry baggage or checked-in baggage.

Anyone who wishes to learn the details of the requirement on the carriage of lithium batteries on aircraft can go to the AACM website – “Laws, Regulations and Multilateral Conventions – Aeronautical Circular” at http://www.aacm.gov.mo/law_notice_list.php?cid=9&pageid=140 to check the text of AC/AGA/009R01.

AACM highlights that the security regulations and requirements are devised to create a safer and more reliable environment for travelling. If passengers can get themselves more familiar with the various regulations and requirements, there will be less chance that delay will occur during the security screening. In this way, their travelling trip will always be made enjoyable.