IATA & ICAO Rules

Battery Powered Wheelchair

In January 2022 IATA brought out the Battery Powered Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Guidance document :  https://www.iata.org/contentassets/6fea26dd84d24b26a7a1fd5788561d6e/mobility-aid-guidance-document.pdf

This document is based on the provisions set out in the 2021 – 2022 Edition of the ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air  (Technical Instructions = Document 9284  in The Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air  — i.e.  Annex 18 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation ) and the 63rd Edition of the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR).

WLCB SSR : Wheelchairs / mobility aids with lithium batteries (DGR 2.3.2.4).

Wheelchairs / Mobility Aids with Lithium Batteries

Lithium batteries that are used to power mobility aids must be of a type which meets the requirements of each test in the UN Manual of Tests and Criteria, Part III, subsection 38.3.

 The lithium battery(ies) can either remain installed in the mobility aid or be removed by the user, if the mobility aid is specifically designed to allow it to be, following the manufacturer’s instructions. The removed battery(ies) must not exceed 300 Wh.

Where the battery(ies) is not removed, there is no limit to the Watt-hour (Wh) rating for the installed battery(ies).

A passenger may carry a maximum of one spare battery not exceeding 300 Wh or two spare batteries each not exceeding 160 Wh.

All removed and spare batteries must be protected from damage (e.g. by placing each battery in a protective pouch) and must only be carried in the passenger cabin.