Second major airline bans shipments of lithium-ion batteries
Airlines are coming under pressure to ban shipments of lithium-ion batteries after United Airlines became the second major US carrier to announce it will no longer carry large quantities onboard.
It follows Delta Airlines’ decision to stop bulk shipments of the batteries in February.
Aviation officials believe that lithium-ion batteries, which are more prone to overheating than other types, contributed to fires that destroyed two Boeing 747 cargo planes, killing all four crew members.
In 2010, a plane operated by UPS Airlines crashed in Dubai after developing a fire onboard and in 2011 an Asiana Airlines cargo plane crashed into the Korea Strait. Both were caryring large consignments of lithium-ion batteries.
Missing Malaysia Airlines flight 370 was also carrying a shipment of lithium-ion batteries when it disappeared a year ago en route to Beijing, leading to speculation there was a fire onboard.
"Our primary concerns when transporting dangerous goods are the safety of our customers, our customers’ shipments and the environment," United Airlines said in a statement.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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