CORONAVIRUS SPARKS AIR SAFETY WARNING
A warning has been issued about the dangers of sending hand sanitiser by air freight or mail.
There has been a surge of hand sanitiser being found as undeclared dangerous goods after being consigned as aircraft freight or sent by air mail.
This surge has coincided with the Coronavirus outbreak.
The Civil Aviation Safety Authority says hand sanitiser must be properly declared as a dangerous good before being consigned for air shipment. It cannot be sent by mail.
This is because hand sanitiser is up to 75% ethanol, posing a fire risk to aircraft. It is a Class 3 Flammable Liquid.
Hand sanitiser can be carried by aircraft passengers on board and in checked luggage, subject to restrictions. A total of two litres can be carried in maximum half litre containers. Normal fluid restrictions apply for carry-on bags.
Passengers must ensure the hand sanitiser release valve is protected by a cap or other suitable means to prevent inadvertent release of the contents.
CASA’s Peter Gibson says the spike in hand sanitiser dangerous goods incidents is a serious safety risk.
“We have very clear rules covering carrying dangerous goods on aircraft and people must follow these rules at all times,” Peter Gibson says.
“There are penalties for breaches of the dangerous goods regulations, including fines and jail sentences of up to seven years.
“The coronavirus outbreak is not an excuse for putting air safety at risk.”
