Air travel - mobility scooter batteries on planes

Hi @Sam_Scope

Thank you for inviting me to be part of this discussion. I do have some thoughts and information but I don’t think it will help with resolving the immediate issue for @trudge

My understanding that the “internationally recognised solution” that trudge is seeking doesn’t exist.

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the airlines trade association covering 83% of all air traffic. They offer advice to their members on dangerous goods carried by passengers which makes reference to ‘battery powered mobility aids’ see https://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/dgr/Documents/passenger-provisions-table-23A-en.pdf but really the bottom line is the approval of the operator must be sought by the passenger. Thus, individual airlines have great freedom to decide their own working rules and so no universal agreement is in place. In many instances the airline leaves the pilot of the specific aircraft to make the final decision. If he or she isn’t convinced, on the day, of the safety of your batteries they are not obligated to transport them.

Hence, we end up with confusing and contradictory information between different airlines and sometimes even within a specific airline. Airlines operating from head offices based in countries that have disability equality legislation seem to make more effort to provide clear guidance. So, for example for those flying in USA the guidance comes from the United States Department of Transportation and uses the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (see Section 17) https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/retrieveECFR?gp=1&SID=bba5ad06518b529c94e1d67a3270196b&ty=HTML&h=L&r=SECTION&n=49y2.1.1.3.12.1.25.5 and is pretty clear and comprehensive.

In most instances there will be different rules for ‘wet’ batteries, than for ‘dry’ batteries.

Also in most instances it seems that airlines will make concessions for batteries used for mobility equipment for disabled people, i.e. different rules from the rules that they would impose for the same battery being used for a none disability specific vehicle (such as a golf cart) so it is important to ensure that they are applying the correct ‘mobility device’ regulations and not their general battery regulations.

To further complicate things for trudge according to Wikipedia  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Mauritius#Headquarters Air Mauritius is one of the many airlines that ‘codeshare’. A codeshare agreement is an aviation business arrangement in which two or more airlines share the same flight. Sharing, in this sense, means that each airline publishes and markets the flight under its own airline designator and flight number as part of its published timetable or schedule. A seat can be purchased on each airline's designator and flight number, but is operated by only one of these cooperating airlines, commonly called the "operating carrier", or "administrating carrier". Therefore, the regulations applied on the day will be those of the “operating carrier”, which might not be the airline you actually booked with.

So, having painted a picture of doom and gloom here are some tips that I have gleamed from various places on the internet.

• Recognize that flying with a battery powered mobility devise can be problematic, allow time prior to booking a flight to correspond with the airline/travel agent.

• Prior to entering into corresponding be really sure about what batteries you have. Photograph them, measure them, and know exactly what is written on them and use this information in your correspondence.

• Even when everything has been agreed with the airline it is wise to have a copy of the agreement on you at the airport just in case you have to convince the aircraft staff working that day.

• If possible arrive at the airport early so that you have extra time to resolve an issue should it occur.

• Consider taking a back up means of getting around, such as a manual wheelchair with you. As even if your airline safely delivers your powered mobility device to your destination it could be really problematic if spares or repairs are required.

• Feedback – give the airline/agent your praise or complaints. Share your experiences and recommendations with other disabled people via social media etc.

….and personally, I would say to try not to let the potential problems limit your dreams! Most problems of this nature can be resolved given time and determination.

Best Wishes

Jean