On February 8, 2016 the International Air Transport Association (IATA) released a notice proposing further changes to the requirements for the air transport of lithium ion batteries proposed by the International Civil Aviation Organization Air Navigation Commission (ICAO ANC).

The ICAO ANC has recommended that standalone lithium ion batteries (UN 3480, PI 965 only) “be forbidden for carriage as cargo on passenger aircraft.” Moreover, all packages of standalone lithium ion batteries will be required to bear the Cargo Aircraft Only label in addition to already required marks and labels.

The effective date of these changes is expected to be April 1, 2016 but is unconfirmed until approval of these recommendations is given by the ICAO Council.

These changes do not impact carriage of lithium ion batteries packed in or with equipment.

The full contents of IATA’s latest lithium batteries notice can be found here