Air New Zealand: no to the use of AirTags in checked baggage

Air New Zealand: no to the use of AirTags in checked baggage! After the problem of the baggage tracker with Lufthansa and the whole issue about Apple banning AirTags on board their flights, even Air New Zealand Is implementing the same policy.

In fact, the air carrier's website states. the company considers luggage trackers among lithium battery-powered devices, which as we know are not allowed, so it has advised passengers not to use them.

In addition, Air New Zealand points out that baggage locators are only allowed in checked bags if they can be deactivated.

The information was confirmed by a spokesperson for the company, however, who reiterated that the ban on Apple AirTags could be reconsidered in 2023 as part of a review of security regulations.

"As part of Air New Zealand's safety management system, a review of these products will likely occur in early 2023. Following this, discussions could be initiated with the regulatory authority." stated.

This is because devices such as AirTag and Tile do not provide the ability to be turned off. In fact, these are portable electronic devices that would conflict with dangerous goods regulations. And therefore they cannot be included in checked luggage.

However, as pointed out, Air New Zealand plans to review the regulation as part of its safety management system early next year.

The ambiguity of aviation safety regulations in New Zealand

The strange thing is that New Zealand's aviation security service-which is responsible for baggage screening-said it had received no specific directive or instruction regarding baggage trackers, AirTags included.

Among other things, Jetstar - another air carrier operating in New Zealand--invites passengers to use both AirTags and other devices of the same type.

On the other hand, Air New Zealand still does not have an effective plan for implementing this policy.

Simply, the spokesperson for the New Zealand company said that in the current procedure, passengers are asked if they are carrying dangerous or prohibited goods during check-in. If travelers answer in the affirmative, they will have to remove the trackers from their luggage, before checking in. In other words, it is up to the passengers to declare the actual presence of these trackers.

Why have Apple AirTags become so popular?

For those who do not know, Apple AirTags are having a lot of success, especially in the last two years. Probably, this popularity was derived from the level of unreliability demonstrated by several carriers over the past two years. In short, the use of luggage trackers has been and still is a way for travelers to know where their belongings are.

The air carrier industry has experienced staff shortages in recent years, but also increased demand for flights in both schedule and frequency. And undeniably, the entire global aviation industry has been quite overwhelmed in the post-pandemic recovery era.

As industry resources have been unable to keep up, data reveal that in April 2022 alone nearly 220 thousand pieces of luggage were mishandled. In this chaos, unfortunate passengers experienced stress and frustration, in not knowing where their checked baggage had ended up.

This is why luggage trackers such as AirTag, Tile Pro Bluetooth Tracker and LandAirSea GPS Tracker, have become so popular with travelers. Because they are small, handy and lightweight, once placed in luggage, they make it easy to locate. And in case of lost luggage, their use makes it easier for passengers to attempt recovery with airlines.

They also do not affect the weight of checked luggage and do not require much effort on the part of the user. In fact, it only needs to be turned on and have a Bluetooth connection to track the object.

Important: Baggage tracking devices with lithium metal cells containing 0.3 grams or less of lithium can be used on checked baggage. Apple's AirTags meet these parameters, while it is not known if this is the same for other baggage tracking devices.

The need for action by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

By now, the need for action by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) seems increasingly evident, as there is an urgent need for clear guidelines on Apple AirTags and similar devices.

If we evaluate the instructions of ICAO for the safe transport of dangerous goods, lithium batteries in devices in checked baggage are allowed, but the device must be turned off. As is easily understood, disabling an AirTag by turning it off would completely eliminate the point of having it and its function, which is to track baggage.

In fact, Air New Zealand is not technically wrong, as it is simply following ICAO regulations to the letter.

The opinion of the Federal Aviation Administration

Other national regulators have spoken out on the issue, clarifying the matter. For example, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has intervened, affirming that Apple AirTags are not dangerous. At the global level, however, it is necessary to make a straightforward decision, either in one direction or the other, as it is not possible for every airline to interpret regulations by feel.

Air New Zealand: no to the use of AirTags in checked baggage -Concluding remarks

Air New Zealand is taking the position of banning AirTags, although it has not done so formally. The motivation lies in the airline's interpretation of the general restriction on lithium batteries in checked baggage.

There is much hope that ICAO and other global regulators will create clear-and unanimous-guidance on AirTags, because without real imposition, we are talking about a theoretical limitation only.

Air New Zealand, however, seems to have taken the example from Lufthansa in not imposing immediate bans. In other words, the carrier states that passengers are not completely prohibited from using tracking devices, but they are allowed if travelers have a tracker with a manual off button.

Obviously, disabling these devices renders their use totally useless and futile, returning travelers to a stressful condition of being unable to locate their luggage.

What do you think about these restrictions? Does this restriction on AirTags seem fair to you? Let's wait to find out what action will be taken at the general and shared level. Leave a comment and share this article with your friends. And to stay updated, follow us on social media!