A passenger may carry 25 spare lithium batteries of 80 Wh each without the approval of the operator. Is this statement true or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Depends on the airline
• D. Only if they are in the original packaging

Answer: (B)

The statement is false because regulations set by aviation authorities, such as the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), impose specific limits on the transport of lithium batteries. While passengers are allowed to carry lithium batteries, the limit is usually much lower than 25 batteries of 80 watt-hours (Wh) each. In many cases, the total capacity and watt-hour rating greatly influence what is permissible without special approval.

Lithium batteries are categorized based on their watt-hour rating, and specific regulations typically allow a maximum of 2 batteries of 160 Wh each or larger batteries in a certain quantity (such as 2 spare batteries that exceed a specified limit). Thus, carrying 25 batteries of 80 Wh exceeds the allowed limit and would require approval from the airline operator, highlighting the importance of adhering to specific air transport regulations regarding dangerous goods.