There is confusion at airports around the world. However, not because of a staff shortage or too many passengers, but because of a small appendage on numerous suitcases: the Apple Airtags. The practical Bluetooth trackers have not only established themselves as constant travel companions for influencers like Caro Daur, but also for many other passengers.
For the airlines, however, this is apparently a problem at the counter at the latest – because it gives the impression that nobody knows whether the battery-operated devices are even allowed in the cargo hold.
Lufthansa answered the question to “Watson” as follows: “Baggage trackers belong in the category of portable electronic devices and are therefore subject to the dangerous goods regulations for carriage in aircraft issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Accordingly, the trackers must be Sending functionality similar to cell phones, laptops, tablets, etc. may be disabled in-flight when in checked baggage.”
Lufthansa also confirms this in a tweet that was written in response to a query. There it says: “Lufthansa bans activated AirTags in luggage because they are classified as dangerous and must be switched off.” Confusing: The blogger Alex Macheras wrote at the same time that a Lufthansa spokesman had told him that air tags were not prohibited. The airline, however, continued to explain the reasoning.
When asked why an airtag is dangerous, the answer is: “According to the ICAO guidelines, the baggage trackers are subject to the dangerous goods regulations. In addition, the trackers must be deactivated during the flight due to their transmission function if they are in the checked baggage and can therefore not used.”
The star has the following statement from Lufthansa: “The Lufthansa Group has carried out its own risk assessment with the result that trackers with very low battery and transmission power in checked baggage do not pose a security risk. We have never issued a ban on such devices. It is to the authorities to adapt the regulations that currently restrict the use of these devices for passengers in checked baggage. We are in close contact with the relevant institutions to find a solution as soon as possible.”
Many reports and comments on social media mention dangers that could arise from the battery in the cargo hold. In fact, Lufthansa does not refer to it. That wouldn’t make any sense either, because the CR2032 button cell batteries that power an Airtag are allowed in checked baggage as long as they are in a switched-off device and it’s not a power bank. This can also be found in the dangerous goods regulations of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
It has to be the tracker’s transmit power that bothers the airline. This is a problem with Airtags, because the devices can only be switched off completely if you remove the battery. However, the battery must not be packed in the checked case, but must be transported in hand luggage – loose batteries are not permitted in the cargo hold.
What exactly is a problem with the – extremely weak – transmission power for Lufthansa is unclear – and is not explained further by the airlines. The US security agency TSA writes on Twitter that the devices are allowed in all types of luggage. And in the statement that the star has, an airtag is not a problem despite the transmission power.
As a result, Lufthansa is currently being heavily criticized and is apparently unable to resolve the ambiguity. Media such as “Apple Insider” accuse the airline of not having read the guidelines carefully. However, Lufthansa refers to exactly these guidelines.
And so the airline currently has to put up with accusations that the ban is arbitrary – or worse: malicious intent. Because the suitcase chaos at the airport is apparently continuing unabated – and customers who know where the luggage is seem to be becoming a burden. A Frankfurt baggage handler tweeted: “As someone currently working in the baggage department at Lufthansa’s home base, I can tell you that airtags (or similar devices) are a very useful tool for both passengers and airport staff It is the airline that does not want to deal with the information provided.”
Passengers who do not follow the rules risk losing their tracker in an emergency. As with power banks and other prohibited items, it is possible that upon arrival at your destination, you will find a note in your suitcase advising you to remove and destroy the items found. A little clarity would therefore be desirable for all sides – especially since Lufthansa sells the air tags in its own online shop without a warning. After all: A Lufthansa spokesman told “Inside Digital” that, together with other airlines, the ICAO had suggested changing the regulations for devices such as air tags. That agrees with the statement to the star.
Sources: TSA Twitter, IATA, Watson, Apple Insider, Twitter Jakob Wert, Inside Digital, Twitter Alex Macheras
