Qatar Airways continues campaign for safe transport of lithium batteries with official IATA CEIV certification

09 January 2023

Qatar Airways is officially IATA CEIV Lithium Battery Certified

Qatar Airways Cargo has replaced majority of its ULD fleet with Safran’s Fire Resistant Containers

DOHA, Qatar – Qatar Airways has become the second airline in the world to become IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certified and Qatar Aviation Services is the first ground handling company to be certified globally.

The certification aims to improve safety in handling and transportation of lithium batteries throughout the supply chain. Both Qatar Airways and Qatar Aviation Services played a key role in the design and implementation of IATA’s recent CEIV Lithium Battery programme, and continue to be actively involved in its fine-tuning and adaption.

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker, said: “Passenger and cargo safety is our utmost concern at all times, and we have continuously advocated for proper regulation in the transport of lithium batteries. We are happy to be the second airline to be certified and we encourage all air industry players to become certified. As an industry, we must focus on active risk prevention and that is achieved through strict regulation, training, and compliance.”  

Guillaume Halleux, Chief Officer Cargo at Qatar Airways Cargo added: “Lithium batteries play a huge part in our daily life, from the toys we buy for our children, to the laptops we use every day, and the cars we drive, to name but a few examples. Yet, they also pose a huge daily risk for air travel and transport: one that Qatar Airways has always highlighted and worked to prevent as best possible. We are happy to see this now starting to happen with air cargo industry companies voluntarily undergoing CEIV Lithium Battery certification.”

“Our plan now is to work with our global partners, ground handlers, shippers, and freighter forwarders, to ensure a solid and common understanding of the risks of moving lithium batteries, and to drive positive change in the industry,” he continues.

Halleux urged for faster regulation and compliance adoption concerning lithium batteries in his key note speech at the World Cargo Symposium in Dublin in October 2021. Shortly thereafter, Qatar Airways Cargo announced the complete rollover of its 10,000+ ULD fleet to Safran Cabin's newly developed Fire-Resistant Containers (FRC), designed to resist a lithium-based fire for up to 6 hours. To date, it has already replaced 9,000 of its ULDs, surpassing the 70% goal it set itself for 2022, and will continue the exchange process in 2023.

Lithium batteries are in very widespread use in a range of consumer products from smartphones to electric scooters, while the risks associated with their usage and carriage amongst consumers are not well known. As a global network carrier and integrated group of aviation businesses the issues relate to both Qatar Airways and Qatar Airways Cargo principally, therefore driving greater awareness of the handling of Lithium batteries will help improve safety in the air transport industry.

The Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification programme will ensure the elements of the supply chain involved in the shipment of these batteries are able to meet their regulatory requirements. The CEIV Lithium Battery family is IATA’s most recent CEIV certification. It is in line with similar certifications for the handling of pharmaceuticals, perishables, and live animals.

About Qatar Airways Cargo

Qatar Airways Cargo, the world’s leading international air cargo carrier is based in Doha, State of Qatar. It serves a global network of more than 60 freighter destinations and 150 passenger destinations utilising freighters, belly-hold passenger flights, passenger freighters and mini freighters. The airline’s freighter fleet includes two Boeing 747-8 freighters, two Boeing 747-400 freighters, 26 Boeing 777 freighters and one Airbus 310 freighter. It also has an extensive road feeder service (RFS) network.

With considerable investments in its products, services, quality handling, infrastructure, facilities, people and procedures at each of its destinations, the cargo carrier provides high operating standards for the transportation of cargo. Qatar Airways Cargo remains committed to sustainability and giving back to communities it serves through its sustainability programme WeQare, built on the key pillars of sustainability: environment, society, economy, and culture.

For further information contact:

Qatar Airways Cargo, Marketing and Communications Department

Email: cargomarketing@qatarairways.com.qa

Website: www.qrcargo.com