IATA Urges Firm Action Against Non-Compliant Dangerous Goods
IATA raised the importance of taking firm action to address safety concerns for the movement of dangerous goods by air freight this week.
Speaking at the IATA 18th World Cargo Symposium in Dubai, Brendan Sullivan, the organisation’s Global Head of Cargo, urged civil aviation authorities and governments to take firm action against non-compliant businesses.
Targeting the increasing threat of lithium batteries, he said “Too many undeclared or misdeclared lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery shipments are entering the system.” Adding “That’s just unacceptable. It puts aircraft at risk. It puts lives at risk.”
Sullivan reminded governments of their need to actively support ICAO’s work to strengthen Annex 18, the global framework for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air.
He also cited a recent example of a shipment of damaged and undeclared lithium batteries that almost made it onto a flight from Asia before an inspector’s vigilance fortunately prevented the major safety risk.
Damaged batteries are far more likely to explode and catch fire, which would clearly led to a very serious incident if this had happened mid-flight.
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