Airlines

Lufthansa bans Apple AirTag for luggage tracking, says ‘danger to flight’

Lufthansa, the national airline of Germany, has prohibited Apple’s AirTags from travel bags

Lufthansa, the national airline of Germany, has prohibited Apple’s AirTags from travel bags, citing a flight safety risk. But based on media reports, the rule the airline cites doesn’t actually permit this. The airline’s Twitter account was reportedly contacted to confirm the restriction following early claims in German media. Activated AirTags from bags are prohibited since they are deemed harmful and must be switched off, a tweet from Lufthansa.

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Baggage trackers must adhere to dangerous goods restrictions, said International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulations. Moreover, if the trackers are in checked luggage, they must be deactivated throughout the journey due to their transmission function and cannot be used as a result.

However, the investigation said that the airline’s assertion regarding ICAO regulations is wholly false. The law that Lufthansa is referring to in particular discusses restrictions on lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in larger devices like the MacBook Pro.

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The batteries used by the Apple AirTags and similar tracking devices are too small to be deemed problematic by the standards. Because CR2032 cells are not lithium-ion batteries and are not protected by the legislation, they are not used in AirTags.

The CR2032 cells were in fact used in wrist watches as well, and the report noted that using the same CR2032 would be prohibited on flights—even though it is not.

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Airlines

PIA Reinstates Manchester and Paris Routes After EU Ban Lift

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced plans to resume flights to Europe starting in January, beginning with Paris as its first destination.

The decision follows the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) removal of a long-standing ban on the airline. PIA’s inaugural flight to Paris is scheduled for January 10, with bookings opening on December 9.

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In an official statement, PIA spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez Khan confirmed that the first flight schedule has been approved, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s recovery efforts. The EU ban had previously cost PIA approximately Rs40 billion ($144 million) annually in lost revenue, compounding its financial struggles.

With European operations restarting, PIA is now setting its sights on the United Kingdom. The airline plans to seek approval from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to resume flights to major British cities such as London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

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These routes are anticipated to see high demand once necessary clearances are obtained. The lifting of the EU ban represents a key achievement for PIA as it works to rebuild its international network and regain its standing in the global aviation market.

By restoring flights to Europe and aiming for UK destinations, PIA is taking critical steps toward recovering lost ground and improving its financial outlook.