UN aviation agency, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), has changed guidance that until now prevented passengers using Apple’s popular Airtag device as luggage tracking devices.
Several airlines claimed such devices didn’t comply with rules governing the carriage of lithium batteries in checked luggage.
The ICAO Council has now approved a new amendment addressing international instructions on the carriage of active small lithium battery powered electronic devices in checked baggage.
Based on the revised requirement, devices powered by small lithium batteries in checked baggage can stay turned on during the flight, provided their lithium metal battery’s lithium content is less than 0.3 grams, or if its lithium ion battery’s output is less than 2.7 Wh.
For devices with lithium batteries that exceed the above limits, the obligation to turn them off in checked baggage remains.
The Council Decision follows on recommendations from the Air Navigation Commission and its Dangerous Goods Panel, which had advised that restrictions were unnecessary for such small lithium batteries and cell.