Wed, Feb 15, 2012
ALPA Calls For Approval By ICAO Air Navigation Commission And
Council
Recommendations made by the ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel that the
organization apply dangerous goods safety standards in the areas of
labeling, training, inspection, and pilot notification to shipments
of lithium batteries by air are being applauded by the Air Line
Pilots Association.
“The Air Line Pilots Association, Int’l (ALPA),
commends the Dangerous Goods Panel of the International Civil
Aviation Organization (ICAO) for recommending that certain
dangerous goods standards be applied to lithium battery shipments
aboard aircraft to safeguard passengers, crews, and cargo," ALPA
president Capt. Lee Moak (pictured) said in a statement.
“The panel’s recommendation, which still must be
approved by the ICAO Air Navigation Commission and Council, states
that ICAO must adopt new provisions effective on January 1, 2013,
to ensure that safety standards that cover the shipment of many
dangerous goods aboard aircraft also apply to lithium batteries.
The standards would specify that large shipments of lithium
batteries are labeled as dangerous goods, shippers receive training
regarding correctly preparing packages of lithium batteries,
airlines perform an acceptance check and inspect packages before
loading, and pilots are notified of the location of lithium battery
shipments aboard their aircraft.
ALPA pilots, led by First Officer Mark Rogers, ALPA’s
director of Dangerous Goods Programs, have aggressively campaigned
to enhance the safety of shipping lithium batteries on aircraft as
part of our long-standing commitment to ‘One Level of Safety
and Security’ across the airline industry.
“While this ICAO panel recommendation marks critical
progress, ALPA pilots will not rest in our work until the safe
transport of lithium batteries is ensured on all aircraft. Our
union will continue to call for safety standards for batteries
contained in electronic equipment, and to press for mandatory
installation of adequate and effective fire suppression in all
aircraft cargo compartments that have the potential to hold lithium
batteries. We will also seek enhanced oversight and enforcement of
battery shippers as ALPA pursues the goal of maintaining the safest
possible air transportation system.”
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