Agent 86

Yes it has been reported on this forum that there has been issues with foreign airlines regarding probiting transport of Ion-Lithium Battaries used for mobility scooters and or powered wheelchairs. Therefore making the assumption you purchased the Ion-Lithium Battery and not the SLA (sealed lead-acid ) battery for your Travelscoot... is that a correct assumption ?

Though airlines cannot prohibit a passenger from having a mobilty scooter stored in the cargo hold of the aircraft, airline policies regarding the transport and storage as well as the an handling of Ion-Lithium Batteries can/ do vary despite all inmternational regulations. The variation is often attributed to lack of knowledge of the airline personal regarding it's policy . Additionally some airlines policies can and do deviate from what what is considered international standards with regards to the transport of Ion-Lithium batteries for mobility scooters and or powered wheelchairs.

Therefore it's important that anyone traveling with an Ion-Litium Battery for use in a mobilty scooter or battery operated wheelchair fully research all airline's policies they plan to fly in advance of air travel as well as contact each airline to inform in advance that you will be boarding the aircarft with a moblitiy scooter specifically disclosing the "Wh" of the Ion-Lithium Battery in an attempt to avoid the issues you experienced with AIr Tahiti. . You should print out the airlines policy from its website as well as get a printable email confirmation from whomever you spoke to directly if the battery that may have confirmed the battery was approved and include such paperwork with your travel documents. In some cases individuals have opted to purchase a SLA battery for foreign travel if the scooter manufacturer offers such as option (which Travelscoot does) to avoid such issues.

 

FYI - the following infromation was copied directly from AIr-Tahiti's website

 

2. SPECIAL ASSISTANCE

a. Acceptance of Carriage of unaccompanied children, Passengers with Reduced Mobility, pregnant women, persons with illness or other people requiring assistance, is subject to prior arrangements with Carrier. Passengers with Reduced Mobility who have advised Carrier of their disability and of any special requirement they may have at the time of ticketing, and have been accepted by Carrier, shall not subsequently be refused Carriage on the basis of such disability or special requirements.

b. If a Passenger has a medical background, it is recommended that the Passenger consults a doctor before taking a Flight, and takes all necessary precautions.

The specific conditions referred to in paragraph 2a above are not part of the General Contrat of Carriage and must be considered as being Ancillary Services, as defined by Article XII below.

• 
  
  • Moreover, if a request for the cases here above mentioned in paragraphs (a) is made at time of check-in, the Carrier shall in no way be held liable if it cannot fulfil said request. In this case, the Carrier is entitled to refuse boarding to the Passenger, in accordance with the provisions of paragraph 1, sub-paragraph (j) of this Article
    

Restricted items

Some items may be carried in your hand or hold baggage, under certain conditions.

Select an item from the drop-down list below to find out the conditions of acceptance on board:

Make your choiceSharp or pointed objectsBlunt instrumentsToilet articles, perfumes and non-radioactive medicinesElectronic devicesHeat-producing articlesAlcoholic beveragesLightersCompressed-air cylindersFirearms and ammunition (including toys and replicas)SyringesBattery-powered electric wheelchairsBreathing devices (mechanical ventilator/oxygen concentrator)PacemakersCarbon dioxide for mechanical prosthesisHair curlersMercury thermometers or barometersSolid carbon dioxide (dry ice)Carbon dioxide for life jacketsRescue devicesAerosols for sporting and home useIsotherm packaging containing liquid nitrogenWork toolsEnergy-saving light bulbsRemote-controlled toys/models

If you are travelling with a battery-powered electric wheelchair, please notify us at the booking stage. For the purposes of ensuring flight safety, your wheelchair batteries will be disconnected by our attendants and the terminals insulated with adhesive tape to prevent short-circuit, before it is placed in the hold. In addition:

• If your wheelchair battery bears a manufacturer's label certifying that it is non-spillable, it may remain attached to the wheelchair during transport.
  
  
• If the battery is spillable, it must be removed from the wheelchair and carried as hold baggage, packed in a case specifically designed for this type of article
  
  

FORBIDEN ITEMS

The following items are strictly forbidden to be carried in your hand or hold baggage, but may be

checked in as cargo

, under certain conditions.

For operational reasons, dangerous goods cannot be accepted as cargo on flights to/from Rarotonga.

• Matches and gas lighters
  
  
• Oxygen cylinders, full or empty
  
  
• Flammable gases,
  e.g. full camping-gas canisters, gas cartridges for hair curlers, butane, propane, acetylene, etc.
  
  
• Empty camping stoves
  
  
• Fuel tanks that have contained fuel such as petrol, oil or diesel, or other containers that have contained a liquid fuel
  
  
• Torches for dancers
  
  
• Engines powered by liquid or gaseous fuel,
  e.g. strimmers, lawnmowers, hedge trimmers, chain saws, boat engines, etc.
  
  
• Flammable solids,
  e.g. firelighters, self-heating drinks or meals, etc.
  
  
• Helium balloons
  
  
• Professional washing powder
  
  
• Objects containing a magnetised/ferromagnetic material (loudspeakers, etc.)
  
  
• Electrical weapons (e.g. Tasers) containing dangerous substances such as explosives, compressed gases,
  lithium batteries,
  etc.
  
  
• Oxidising substances and organic peroxides,
  e.g. oxygenated water, chemicals for swimming pools, bleaching powder, detergents, liquid or powder fertilisers, weedkillers, etc.
  
  
• Corrosive substances, e.g. batteries, battery fluids, scouring products, corrosive products, acids, chlorine, bleach, etc.
  
  
• Toxic and infectious substances,
  e.g. pesticides, insecticides, etc.
  
  
• Flammable liquids,
  e.g. methylated spirits, surgical spirit containing over 70% alcohol by volume (70° proof), some vegetable oils (e.g. monoi), essential oils, perfumed or aromatic oils and all substances containing alcohol (vanilla extract, perfume and/or concentrates) in quantities intended for professional use, paint, varnish, household products, etc.
  
  
• Attaché cases or bags fitted with an alarm or defence mechanism
  
  
• Heat/combustion engines, new or used
  
  
• Aerosol sprays and other devices containing an irritant or incapacitant, such as cayenne pepper
  
  
• Radioactive substancesSome items may be carried in your hand or hold baggage, under certain conditions.
  
  

The above regulations ban lithium batteries for 'electrical weapons', nothing to do with scooter batteries.

 

These are 'lithium metal' batteries not at all similar to ' lithium ion rechargeable batteries' we use on our TS's.

 

I appeared at the UN International Civil Aviation Organization to get the rules changed in 2011.

I would be happy to work with anyone who has a problem with an airline including calling the airline on your behalf to straighten them out.

 

I can speak directly to there Dangerous Goods department to sort things out. I have filed a formal complaint against one Canadian Airline (WestJet) that resulted in them changing their policies. PM me if you would like help. I have been flying using a TS lithium ion battery since 2009 and have never been refused a flight.

 

Peter

Hi all. We're on Riviera October 26 Barcelona

I use a mobility scooter (TravelScoot) full time and cannot do more than one or two stairs with a handrail.

Looking for wheelchair accessibility for the following ports:

Palma de Mallorca

Sete

La Spezia

Livorno

Portofino

Monte Carlo

Oceania says only Portofino is a tender Port.

We are thinking of a land trip at Iivorno and getting off at Sets and MonteCarlo. We welcome any information or suggestions. Thank you.