FAA Fines Firms Over Lithium-Ion Battery Air Cargo Fires

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed fines against three companies after lithium-ion batteries they shipped by air caught fire, underscoring the ongoing risks such cargo poses to aviation safety.

On 5 September, the FAA said Virginia-based Mobilesentrix and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution were among those penalized for violating hazardous materials regulations.

Mobilesentrix, a wholesale supplier of mobile phone parts, is accused of repeatedly sending undeclared and improperly packaged batteries via FedEx in late 2023. According to the FAA, one shipment ignited during transit, though it did not specify when. The agency has proposed a $170,000 (£131,000) fine, with Mobilesentrix requesting discussions to contest the case.

In a separate incident, batteries shipped by LG Energy Solution to Los Angeles in January 2024 caught fire at FedEx’s sorting facility in Irvine, California. The FAA reported the shipment emitted “heat, smoke, ember and flames,” leaving some cells charred and melted.

Global Air Cargo Safety Concerns

Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in consumer electronics but present well-documented hazards if damaged, poorly packaged or improperly handled. Thermal runaway incidents can trigger intense fires that are difficult to extinguish on board aircraft.

International aviation bodies such as ICAO and IATA have introduced increasingly strict rules in recent years, including packaging standards, labeling requirements, and limits on bulk battery shipments. Some airlines have banned standalone battery consignments entirely.

Despite these measures, regulators warn that undeclared or mislabelled shipments continue to pose a significant threat. Industry experts note that the growth of cross-border e-commerce has made enforcement more complex.

The FAA said the latest cases highlight the importance of compliance and stressed that it will continue to take enforcement action where companies fail to meet international safety standards.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, caasint.com