During the PC the MAS CEO was questioned about these batteries packages. Answer was that it was properly packed and NOT considered dangerous/hazardous as per ICAO standards.
That is the biggest admission yet. I'm sorry but all Lithium ion batteries UN3840 are categorized as dangerous goods. But different quantities and sizes are declared permissible dangerous goods. Either carry on by pax or in devices for carry and checked. Even certain lithium ion batteries by 100wh cannot be checked on.
If these batteries were placed in the cargo hold of MH370 in 5kg packs they are permissible under ICAO for pax aircraft. But the Airline must have a DG on pax aircraft policy.
35kg packs are Cargo Aircraft Only.
Honestly these new Lithium Ion battery rules that came out this year can be very confusing.
Irrespective the ICAO Drill for UN 3840 is 9FZ was upgraded from 9FL last year. But is this change enough. I think these batts should be banned from all pax flights. Except for carry on reason, laptop etc.
Once you put the new Z code on something and put in a cargo hold. Nothing will put out the fire. Seems insane to put this on a pax aircraft and also for that matter a cargo aircraft. A cargo aircraft can still crash into a village.
http://www.icao.int/safety/Dangerous...P.076.4.en.pdf