Standard Operating Procedure for Dangerous Goods in TAA flight

 Approval for The Transportation of Dangerous Goods

Thai AirAsia X shall ensure that Dangerous Goods transport on Thai AirAsia X aircraft shall be carried out only after approval is granted by The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) as specific in the Operations Specifications of Air Operator Certificate (AOC) no.05/2017.

Shipper responsibility

1. The shipper is responsible for all aspects of the packaging of dangerous goods in compliance with the ICAO Technical Instruction for Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284).

2. Dangerous goods must be packed in packages designed to withstand leakage, which may occur during air transportation. Packaging can be either single packaging (e.g. steel drum) or combination packaging (e.g. metal can in a plywood box). 

3. Packages may be further secured with an overpack for safe and convenient handling. The regulations specifying packaging requirements for each hazard class are to be strictly followed without exception.

Marking and Labelling

1. Packages containing dangerous goods are normally identified with specific markings and labelling, intended to alert you to the risks inherent to the contents. Correct marking and labelling of dangerous goods packages is an important element in the safe transport process. Makings and labeling fulfill the following general purposes:

i. indicate the contents of the package

ii. indicate that the packaging meets approved standards

iii. provide safe handling and stowage information

iv. indicate the nature of hazard(s)

2. The shipper is responsible for all necessary marking and labelling of each package of Dangerous Goods and each overpack containing dangerous goods, in compliance with IATA DGR section 7 current edition. Each package must be of such a size that there is adequate space to affix all required marks and labels.

3. The cargo acceptance personnel and/or designated personnel are required to check and make sure that all packages are correctly marked and labeled before accepting the consignment.

4. When discovered that any of the marks in DGM 6.1.1, hazard labels in DGM 6.1.2 and/or handling labels in DGM 6.1.3 have become lost, detached or illegible after acceptance, wherever discovered, the packages must be returned to the warehouse at acceptance point for replacement in accordance with the information provided on the “Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods” or other transport document, such as an air waybill, when applicable. This process / requirement does not apply where the marks and labels are found to be missing or illegible at time of acceptance.

Packaging

Package/Overpack Re-use

The shipper must ensure that before a packaging (or overpack) is authorized for re-use, all inappropriate dangerous goods label markings and labels are removed or completely obliterated.

Overpack

1. The overpack must not contain packages enclosing different substances which might react dangerously with each other, or packages of dangerous goods requiring segregation.

2. Each package contained within an overpack must be properly packed, marked, labelled and freed of any indication of damage or leakage; it must be properly prepared as required in IATA DGR. Packages must be secured within the overpack.

a. The overpack must not contain packages bearing the “Cargo Aircraft Only” label except where:

b. Only one package is contained in the overpack; or

c. Two or more packages are contained in the overpack and the packages are assembled in such a way that clear visibility and easy access to   them is possible; or

d. The packages contain:

i. Flammable liquids (Class 3), Packing Group III, other than those with a subsidiary risk of Class 8.

ii. Class 6 toxic substances (Division 6.1) with no subsidiary risk other than Class 3.

iii. Infectious substances (Division 6.2).

iv. Radioactive materials (Class 7).

v. Miscellaneous dangerous goods (Class 9).

3. For cooling purposes, an overpack may contain solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) — provided the overpack meets the requirements of Packing Instruction 954 IATA DGR.

Salvage Packaging

Damaged, defective, leaking or non-conforming packaged — or dangerous goods that have spilt or leaked — may be transported in salvage packaging.

NOTE: Salvage Packaging will not be accepted for carriage on TAA aircraft."

Inner Packaging

1. Inner packaging must be packed, secured or cushioned in outer packaging in such a way that, under normal conditions of transport, they cannot break, be punctured or leak their contents into the outer packaging.

2. Inner packaging containing liquids must be packaged with the closures upward and placed within outer packaging consistent with the orientation markings."

Packing Quality

1. Dangerous goods must be packed in good quality packaging which must be strong enough to withstand the shocks and loading encountered in transport, including removal from pallets, unit load devices or overpacks for subsequent manual or mechanical handling.

2. Packages must be constructed and closed to prevent the loss of contents when prepared for transport, which might be caused under normal conditions of transport, by vibration or by changes in temperature, humidity or pressure."

Evidence of Compatibility

1. Shippers must ensure that all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure that the packaging used is compatible with the dangerous goods to be transported. Evidence of such measures or assessments must be made available to the competent authority upon request.

2. NOTE: For more details on packaging, please refer to IATA DGR Section 5."

Documentation

1. The shipper must complete the “Shipper’s Declaration for Dangerous Goods” for each consignment of dangerous goods.

2. Pre-printed declarations must be printed in the same format (except as provided hereafter) and show the English translation. Additionally, the required English text may be supplemented by an accurate printed translation in another language.

3. The English language must be used in addition to the language required by the State of Origin. The declaration form must be completed in the English language. he required English text may be accompanied by an accurate printed translation in another language.

4. When a paper document is used, the shipper must provide two copies of the completed and signed declaration form. One signed copy must be retained by the Thai AirAsia X. The other signed copy must be forwarded with the shipment to its destination. One of the two copies (including the signature) may be a carbon copy.

5. Only the initial operator is required to retain an original copy of the Shipper’s Declaration. A copy of the original Shipper’s Declaration is acceptable to be held on file when a consignment is transshipped.

6. If the declaration form does not contain sufficient space in the “Nature and Quantity of Dangerous Goods” box to accommodate all the required entries and information, shippers may add pages in the form of an extension list. In such cases, each page of its extension list must show:

a. page number and the total number of pages

b. the Air Waybill number.

7. Thai AirAsia X will not accept a declaration form that has been altered or amended unless the alteration or amendment has been signed by the shipper with the same signature used to sign the document. Alterations of the 'Air Waybill Number',  'Airport of Departure' and 'Airport of Destination' are exempted from this provision. Any entry inserted in different handwriting or different printing (or in a combination of handwriting and printing) is not considered an alteration or amendment.

Mixed Shipment

1. An Air Waybill containing both dangerous goods and non-dangerous goods must indicate in the "Handling Information" box of the Air Waybill the number of pieces of dangerous goods — either before or after the statement "Dangerous Goods as per associated Shipper's Declaration" or "Dangerous Goods as per associated DGD".

2. If a Shipper's Declaration is not required for dangerous goods, the "Nature and Quantity of Goods" box of the Air Waybill must show the following information; the sequence of the information is optional, but that shown below is preferred:

a. UN or ID number (not required for Magnetized Material);

b. Proper shipping name;

c. Number of packages (unless these are the only packages within the consignment); and

d. Net quantity per package (only required for UN 1845).

3. When solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) is used as a refrigerant for dangerous goods that require a Shipper's Declaration, the details of the solid carbon dioxide (dry ice) must be shown on the Shipper's Declaration.

4. If an article or substance could be suspected of being a dangerous good but does not meet the criteria for any of the hazard classes or divisions, it may be offered for unrestricted transport if the words "Not Restricted" are included in the description of the article or substance on the Air Waybill (to indicate that it has been checked).

5. The statement "Not restricted, as per Special Provision" must be included in the description of the article on the Air Waybill when required, to indicate that the Special Provision has been applied.

Special Handling

Lithium Battery Freight Consignments

Lithium Ion Batteries / Lithium metal batteries

1. Lithium metal batteries: are generally primary (non-rechargeable) batteries that have lithium metal or lithium compounds as an anode. Also included within lithium metal are lithium alloy batteries. Lithium metal batteries are generally used to power devices such as watches, calculators, cameras, temperature data loggers, car key fobs and defibrillators.

Note: Lithium metal batteries packed by themselves (not contained in or packed with equipment) (Packing Instruction 968) are forbidden for transport as cargo on passenger aircraft). In accordance with Special Provision A201, lithium metal cells or batteries that meet the quantity limits of Section II of PI 968 may be shipped on a passenger aircraft under an approval issued by the authority of the State of Origin, State of Destination and State of the Operator. All other lithium metal cells and batteries can only be shipped on a passenger aircraft under exemption issued by all States concerned, see Special Provision A201.

2. Lithium-ion batteries: (sometimes abbreviated Li-ion batteries) are a secondary (rechargeable) battery where the lithium is only present in an ionic form in the electrolyte. Also included within the category of lithium-ion batteries are lithium polymer batteries. Lithium-ion batteries are generally used to power devices such as mobile telephones, laptop computers, tablets, power tools and e bikes.

Note: Lithium ion batteries packed by themselves (Packing Instruction 965) (not contained in or packed with equipment):

(a) must be shipped at a state of charge (SoC) not exceeding 30% of their rated capacity. Cells and/or batteries at a SoC of greater than 30% may only be shipped with the approval of the State of Origin and the State of the Operator under the written conditions established by those authorities, see Special Provision A331; and

(b) may be shipped as cargo on a passenger aircraft under an approval issued by the authority of the State of Origin, State of Destination and State of the Operator where the lithium ion cells or batteries that meet the quantity limits of Section II of PI 965. All other lithium ion cells and batteries can only be shipped as cargo on a passenger aircraft under exemption issued by all States concerned, see Special Provision A201.

Note: Thai AirAsia X accepted only Lithium ion(metal) batteries in compliance with section II(UN3481:PI 966,967/ UN3091:PI 969,970) and the shipment shall be checked as per “Acceptance Check Sheet for Excepted Lithium Batteries Subject to Section II (ELI/ELM)” refer Appendix C.