What is the Flier Friendly Programme?

12th May 2026

In simple terms, the Flier Friendly Programme is designed to help electric mobility aid users prepare for air travel and make it easier for airlines and ground handlers to access the information they need to make safe and timely carriage decisions.

Anyone involved in manufacturing, supplying, or supporting customers with electric mobility aids will know that air travel can often be a source of anxiety. Airlines require specific technical information about a device and its batteries before approving it for carriage. Passengers are often unsure what information is needed, where to find it, or when to provide it. Ground handlers may also be unfamiliar with a device and uncertain how to handle it safely.

The result can be delays, denied boarding, or, in some cases, damage to equipment that is essential to a person’s independence.

The Flier Friendly Programme aims to help address these challenges through a practical tool – the EMA Air Travel Pack – alongside a set of voluntary commitments for participating manufacturers.

The EMA Air Travel Pack

Available at www.aviationservicesuk.org/electricmobilityaids, the EMA Air Travel Pack includes:

• A traveller guide with practical advice on preparing for air travel with an electric mobility aid;
• A structured technical information form covering device specifications, battery type, Watt-hour (Wh) rating, and handling instructions, which customers can complete, print, or save to their device; and
• Guidance explaining UN38.3 lithium battery compliance documentation and how customers can obtain it.

The Pack is intended as a guidance tool only. It does not replace airline-specific forms or approval processes. However, it helps customers gather and organise the information airlines typically require, reducing the risk of incomplete or last-minute disclosures that can create issues at the airport.

What do participating manufacturers agree to?

Manufacturers supporting the programme agree to:

• Make the EMA Air Travel Pack available to customers;
• Ensure UN38.3 Test Summaries for batteries used in their devices are accessible to customers – for example via website downloads or hard copies on request;
• Work collaboratively with the aviation sector to help ground handlers better understand how increasingly complex mobility aids can be handled safely; and
• Support practical improvements such as durable battery labelling and design solutions that help reduce the risk of damage during handling.

Importantly, the Flier Friendly Programme is not a certification scheme or regulatory standard. It does not create regulatory obligations and does not guarantee operator approval. It is a voluntary best practice initiative intended to improve communication, preparedness, and safety.

Why this matters now: the international regulatory picture

The Flier Friendly Programme has been developed at a time of increasing international focus on lithium battery safety in aviation. This is particularly relevant for manufacturers and distributors of electric mobility aids.

ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel – Task Force on Mobility Aids

In 2024, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – the UN agency responsible for international civil aviation safety standards – established a dedicated Task Force on Mobility Aids within its Dangerous Goods Panel.

The Task Force was created to examine the safety risks associated with high-energy lithium-ion batteries installed in passenger mobility aids.

Its structured safety risk assessment involved experts from regulatory oversight, occurrence investigation, air operations, ground handling services, and dangerous goods management. Key findings included:

• Battery energy capacity in mobility aids is increasing, with some devices now exceeding levels at which additional controls may be necessary;
• Acceptance personnel are often unable to assess the actual condition of a mobility aid or its batteries and therefore rely heavily on passenger-provided information;
• Information is frequently incomplete, submitted late, or missing altogether;
• Aircraft fire suppression systems are not fully effective against lithium-ion battery fires involving thermal runaway; and
• Handling and stowage practices can introduce additional risks, particularly on smaller aircraft where mobility aids may be loaded directly into cargo compartments alongside baggage.

The Task Force concluded that the current framework governing the carriage of lithium battery-powered mobility aids requires strengthening. At the same time, it emphasised that any future measures should not unnecessarily restrict access to air travel for people who rely on mobility aids.

The direction of travel

The Task Force has proposed amendments to the ICAO Technical Instructions – the international framework underpinning dangerous goods regulations worldwide.

While these amendments are still under consideration, they indicate a likely move towards:

• Stronger approval processes;
• Mandatory advance information requirements;
• Enhanced operator risk assessments; and
• Greater emphasis on the quality and availability of technical information provided to airlines.

Ultimately, much of this information originates from manufacturers.

How to get involved

If you manufacture or distribute electric mobility aids with lithium batteries and would like to support the Flier Friendly Programme, Aviation Services UK would be pleased to hear from you.

To find out more or express your interest, please contact:

David Leighton

Aviation Services UK

David.leighton@aviationservicesuk.org

07711 515389

You can also view the EMA Air Travel Pack and learn more about the programme at: www.aviationservicesuk.org/electricmobilityaids