Introduction

Billions of people use air travel as a means of transportation each year. With new technologies, there is the increased potential for the new challenges those technologies pose to affect safe air travel. The increased use of lithium batteries is one such challenge. Lithium batteries fall into two broad categories, lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries. Even though many people use these common batteries, few people in the general public are aware that lithium batteries are considered to be dangerous goods and can pose a safety risk if they are not handled properly during the following processes:

• Manufacturing
• Preparing
• Packaging
• Testing
• Transporting

To help maintain safety in air travel, given the popularity of lithium batteries on flights, the IATA has developed information to guide those involved in the transport and travel process, including:

• Shippers
• Freight forwarders
• Ground handlers
• Airlines
• Passengers

The IATA developed the second edition of the Lithium Battery Guidance for Operators in collaboration with various industry bodies, including leading industry groups specialized in the handling of dangerous goods, to help explain the rules and regulations for the safe transport of lithium batteries.