WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - United Airlines has announced it will not accept bulk shipments of rechargeable lithium batteries, citing safety concerns.
United Airlines becomes the second major airline in the U.S. to stop accepting bulk shipment of lithium batteries, after Delta Air Lines made a similar announcement last month.
Tests conducted by Federal Aviation Administration found that overheating batteries could lead to a major fire. Officials believe that lithium batteries, which are used in from smartphones to laptops, were the major factor that led to fire which destroyed two Boeing cargo planes.
'Our primary concerns when transporting dangerous goods are the safety of our customers, our customers' shipments and the environment,' United Airlines said in a statement.
Bulk shipments of lithium batteries are permitted under both U.S. regulations and international aviation safety standards.
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