Flight Safety Foundation urges caution over new personal electronic device restrictions on certain international commercial flights

In the wake of a recent decision to ban personal electronic devices (PEDs) larger than a cell phone in passenger cabins of select international commercial flights, the Flight Safety Foundation urged caution to United States legal authorities regarding the risks associated with lithium ion batteries being stored in plane cargo holds.

The main concern cited by the foundation was the risk of thermal runaway from lithium ion batteries, a process in which defective batteries catch fire and burn at extremely high temperatures. In most cases, thermal runaway occurs on devices that had been powered on.

“With the transport of PEDs on certain flights now restricted to the cargo hold, along with other potentially flammable items within checked-in baggage, a known and managed risk has effectively been transferred to another part of the aircraft where, should thermal runaway occur, it is rendered inaccessible to cabin crew,” the foundation said in a statement.

While current guidance from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) states that lithium ion batteries may be placed in the cargo hold under certain conditions, the foundation said that the recent decision could significantly increase the number of PEDs carried in cargo holds of affected flights.

If the decision were to remain for the foreseeable future, the foundation suggested that passengers be required to completely power off all lithium ion-powered devices before being placed in checked luggage.

“The risk, however, that some of these items may be left on cannot be overlooked,” the foundation said.

The foundation also suggested that existing IATA guidelines be communicated to all those aboard the plane to ensure that spare lithium ion batteries are not placed in checked luggage due to the mistaken belief that they are not allowed in the cabin.