Doha: Few days after Emirates Airline announced complete ban on battery-powered personal vehicles commonly known as hoverboards, Qatar Airways also banned all small vehicles powered by lithium batteries as both checked-in baggage and as cabin baggage on all Qatar Airways flights.
"Small vehicles powered by lithium batteries are not permitted in checked or cabin baggage, regardless of the watt-hour rating of the lithium battery in such devices. Some examples of these vehicles are airwheels, solowheels, hoverboards, mini-segways, and balance wheels," Qatar Airways announced on its official website.
Effective immediately, the ban applies regardless of the watt-hour rating of the lithium battery, Qatar Airways said in a statement.
“Qatar Airways has taken this responsible and necessary step as passenger and crew safety remain our utmost concern.
"Recent reports and new evidence has led to our decision to add hoverboards to our list of restricted items. Therefore we would like to notify passengers ahead of the busy travel season to ensure that no one is left unaware. Our priority is the safety of our passengers and staff, as such we cannot accept these items as either checked-in baggage or carry-on,” said Ashish Jain. He is currently Qatar Airways senior vice president for Group Safety & Security.
Banning the hoverboards, the Emirates Airline had said, “One of the most popular items on the restricted list is the smart balance wheel or ‘hoverboards’, which Emirates will not accept in checked-in or carry-on luggage. The airline has banned any items containing lithium batteries, which can include cameras, mobile phones and laptops. Many spare battery packs for these electronic items are lithium, so make sure you read the label first.”
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