TRANSPORTATION OF WHEELCHAIRS AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH BATTERIES
Transportation of wheelchairs
Wheelchairs can only be accepted as checked baggage to ensure flight safety, provided the following is complied with:
Non-spillable lithium battery (Li-ion battery wheelchair) Carriage and traveling with a battery driven wheelchair is subject to international dangerous goods regulation and pre-approval from carrier. It is permitted to be carried only as check baggage to aircraft hold, with the exception of removable batteries which may be transported in cabin, carry- on luggage only.
Batteries and cells must be of a type that meets the requirements for passing each test set out in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3. At the time of booking or check-in at the airport, proof must be provided, such as a certificate from the manufacturer or a personal written confirmation.
Wheelchair / mean of transportation driven by built-in lithium batteries :
- Wheelchair / mean of transportation securely fastened in the luggage compartment;
- The battery must be securely attached to the chair or mobile device;
- The battery terminals must be protected to prevent short circuits, e.g. when inside the battery.
According to IATA DGR 2.3.2.4.3 if lithium battery (batteries) remains installed (built-in) in the wheelchair/vehicle, there are no Watt-hour restrictions.
Wheelchair / mean of transportation driven with replaceable lithium batteries, the following provisions apply:
- Remove the battery;
- The battery must be protected from short circuits by insulating the terminals (e.g. by taping over exposed terminals);
- The batteries must be individually packed in a protective container provided by the passenger;
- The battery’s watt-hour rating must not exceed 300 Wh;
- Maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries each not exceeding 160 Wh may be carried;
- The battery must be carried as additional carry-on luggage.
Non-spillable batteries (dry cell battery powered wheelchair)
Dry-cell battery-powered wheelchairs may be accepted for carriage with their batteries, provided that:
- the battery is disconnected;
- the terminals are insulated to prevent accidental short circuits;
- the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair;
- a passenger can carry a maximum of:
- one spare non-spillable battery (according to А67 IATA DGR) or
- two spare nickel-metal hydride batteries (according to А199 IATA DGR) or
- two dry charging batteries (according to А199 IATA DGR)
Any spare batteries (batteries) must be transported in the baggage (cargo) compartment of the aircraft packed in a strong, rigid packaging kit.
More detail: batteries with gel, dry cell and liquid cells can remain on the wheelchair/ mean of transportation .The terminals must be covered with electrical tape or plastic plugs to prevent short circuits. Also for safety reasons, it is necessary to turn off the wet cell battery before boarding.
Spillable batteries (wet cell battery wheelchair)
Wheelchairs powered by spillable batteries may be accepted for carriage, provided:
- the wheelchair can be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded always in an upright positions;
- the battery is disconnected;
- terminals are insulated to prevent short circuits;
- the battery is securely attached to the wheelchair.
If a wheelchair powered by a spillable battery cannot be loaded, stowed, secured and unloaded while remaining in an upright position, the battery must be removed and the wheelchair may then be carried as checked baggage without restriction.
The removed battery must be packaged in a strong, rigid container as follows:
- the outside packaging must be leak-proof, impervious to battery fluid and be protected against upset by securing in cargo compartments using proper stabilisation (other than by bracing with freight or baggage) such as by use of restraining straps, brackets or holders;
- batteries must be protected against short circuits, secured upright in the outside packaging and surrounded by compatible absorbent material sufficient to absorb their total liquid contents.
Manual Power Folding Wheelchair
Accepted for carriage as checked baggage without any special limitations.
TRANSPORTING ELECTRONIC DEVICES
requirements depend on the type of battery in the device
Lithium metal battery with a lithium content of 2 to 8 grams | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | Allowed on condition:
|
The approval of the Airline is required |
Lithium ion battery with rating not exceeding 100 Wt | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | Allowed on condition:
|
The approval of the Airline is not required |
Lithium ion battery with rating exceeding 100 Wt but not exceeding 160 Wt | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | Allowed on condition:
|
The approval of the Airline is required |
Lithium metal battery with a lithium content of up to 2 grams | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | Allowed on condition:
|
The approval of the Airline is not required |
SPARE BATTERIES
requirements transportation depends on the type of spare battery
A spare lithium-metal battery with a lithium content of up to 2 grams as well as portable electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems) | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | FORBIDDEN |
The approval of the Airline is not required |
A spare lithium-metal battery with a lithium content of 2 to 8 grams | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Allowed on condition:
| FORBIDDEN |
The approval of the Airline is required |
Lithium ion battery with rating not exceeding 100 Wt as well as portable electronic smoking devices (e-cigarettes, vaporizers, electronic nicotine delivery systems) | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Permitted | FORBIDDEN |
The approval of the Airline is not required |
Lithium ion battery with rating exceeding 100 Wt but not exceeding 160 Wt | |
Transportation in carry on baggage | Transportation in checked baggage |
Allowed on condition:
| FORBIDDEN |
The approval of the Airline is required |
TRANSPORTATION OF SMALL-SIZED VEHICLES FOR PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION
- Portable electronic devices include:
- Monocles;
- Sigway (mini-sigway);
- Hoverboards;
- Scooters;
- Electric scooters
Transportation is carried out in checked baggage, provided that:
- Permission from the Airline is available;
- Absence of lithium battery in the vehicle;
- A lithium battery removed from a vehicle is permitted for transportation only in hand luggage;
- Lithium ion battery with rating not exceeding 100 Wt/h.
Small-sized vehicles with built-in batteries (which cannot be removed) are NOT TRANSPORTED