MAHB: Remove batteries from e-cigarettes before flying

PETALING JAYA: E-cigarette users will now have to remove the batteries from their vaping devices during flights as an extra safety precaution, says Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB).

In a Facebook post, MAHB said that current International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations do not allow e-cigarettes to be checked in as baggage, but these can be hand-carried on board the aircraft.

"Malaysia Airports has implemented an additional safety precaution, effective immediately, whereby passengers will be asked to detach the batteries from the equipment," it said.

MAHB added that they had referred the matter to the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) for further advice.

Meanwhile, in PUTRAJAYA, Bernama reported that the DCA said it was concerned over the reported incident on board Malindo Air flight OD1003.

DCA director-general Datuk Seri Azharuddin Abdul Rahman in a statement said they were conducting an internal investigation on the matter.

He outlined the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (ICAO Doc 9284) issued by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), namely;

i. Passengers and cabin crew are prohibited from carrying battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices including electronic cigarettes in checked baggage. ii. Prohibits recharging of battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices in aircraft cabins. iii. Batteries shall be removed from electronic smoking devices and be put in proper storage.

"These instructions shall be complied with by the airline operators, crew and passengers so as to avoid similar incidents in future," said Azharuddin.

In was reported that in the 6.45pm incident Saturday, the battery of an e-cigarette device inside a bag placed on a passenger's lap suddenly burst into flames just after the aircraft took off from Kota Kinabalu for the Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 (KLIA2).

The passenger sustained burns on his thighs and left hand.