Airplane passengers will be officially allowed to use location trackers like these in the future Apple AirTags or the Samsung smart tags use to locate their checked baggage. There are new rules from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) according to which Carrying GPS trackers in the hold of aircraft is now formally allowed.
So far, there have been no clear guidelines for taking trackers such as AirTags in checked baggage. This had led to different airlines giving their passengers different announcements as to whether or not they could stow trackers in their suitcases. So had the Lufthansa for a while considered the mini-transmitters in checked baggage to be a security risk and banned them.
According to the new ICAO rules, trackers are now allowed if the batteries have a Lithium content of 0.3 grams not exceed. In addition, a performance of 2.7 watt hours (Wh) not be exceeded. The devices must still be protected against damage. All of these criteria apply common batteries such as CR2032 button cells that are used in the AirTags or comparable trackers.
Larger lithium batteries must still be carried in hand luggage
“The existing, strict safety regulations continue to apply to larger lithium batteries,” said the spokesman. “They can overheat if damaged or subjected to particular stress and, in the worst case, cause fires.” Lithium content of two grams in checked baggage transported, but must be completely switched off. They should also not be in a sleep or hibernation state. For safety reasons, larger lithium batteries would only have to be carried in hand luggage.
Die Apple AirTagsdie Samsung smart tags and comparable devices from manufacturers such as Tile take over Bluetooth-Funk Contact any neighboring smartphone that is compatible with the respective system. About the GPS location of smartphone the location of the small mobile tracker can then be determined.
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