Following statements from Apple and the German aviation regulator, the confusion about whether or not a Lufthansa AirTags prohibition was effective. AirTags do not pose a safety danger and are permitted in checked baggage.
As did the FAA in the United States, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency weighed-in, although it wasn''t in a particularly helpful manner.
Background
It''s unclear how it began, but rumors have swirled that AirTags in checked baggage were banned on Lufthansa flights. This led to some customers calling the issue on Twitter, and the airline seemingly confirming the restriction.
The German airline responded to a customer question on Twitter.
AirTags that are activated are prohibited from carrying bags, because they are classified as dangerous and must be turned off.
The airline was given a call to the media attention, stating that it had not banned AirTags, and that there is no directive or regulation for Lufthansa to prohibit airtags. This has nothing to do with Lufthansa or any other carrier.
This left the impression that the airline itself had not banned them, but that the worldwide body International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) had.
Lufthansa now says AirTags allowed
Apple reassigned to the sluggish by declaring that AirTags had no regulatory barrier to use.
AirTags are compliant with international travel safety regulations for carry-on and checked baggage.
The airline has now stated that it has consultation with the German regulator, and that AirTags are effectively permitted. According to the New York Times,
On Wednesday, German airline Lufthansa reversed its decision, claiming that Apple AirTags and other Bluetooth tracking devices would once again be allowed in checked baggage.
The German Aviation Authorities (Luftfahrt-Bundesamt) have confirmed today that they have shared our risk assessment that tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage do not pose a safety danger. This is because these devices are permitted on Lufthansa flights.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency, which regulates aviation across the 27 EU countries, decided to have something, although it was helpful.
[The agency] said that its regulation did not in itself prohibit or permit the trackers, but that operators had the right to determine which devices were safe to use in flight.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have both confirmed that AirTags had no impact on US flights.
As soon as possible, we may continue placing AirTags in our checked bags. This helps not only locate an airline in the event of a loss of track, but also provides peace of mind as it is normal to verify that they have made it to the airplane when checking at the departure gate or on board the aircraft.
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