The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA’s) Dangerous Goods Board has decided to restrict the carriage of so-called “smart luggage” on passenger aircraft operated by its 275 member airlines around the world.
Effective Jan. 15, 2018, bags equipped with a lithium battery will only be accepted for carriage if it is possible to remove the battery from the bag. “Baggage where the lithium battery cannot be removed is forbidden for carriage” on IATA member airlines, according to an IATA spokesman.
Bags with the battery installed must be transported as carry-on luggage. If a smart bag is to fly as checked baggage, the battery must be removed and carried in the passenger cabin.
IATA’s member carriers represent about 83 percent of total air traffic, according to the association’s website.
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Alaska Airlines previously announced similar restrictions.
