The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Mar. 31 that it is proposing a $70,500 civil penalty against Verizon Communications, Inc. of New York for allegedly violating hazardous materials regulations.
The issue centers on the safe transportation of lithium-ion batteries, which are considered hazardous due to their potential fire risk. The FAA said the matter is important because proper handling and labeling of such shipments are critical to aviation safety.
According to the FAA, in May 2024 Verizon offered three shipments containing between 2,000 and 3,000 cell phones with lithium-ion batteries to FedEx for air transport. The agency alleges that these materials were not properly classified, described, packaged, marked or labeled as required by federal regulations. Additionally, Verizon reportedly did not provide the necessary emergency response information for these shipments.
Lithium-ion batteries have strict rules governing their air shipment due to safety concerns. Regulators require detailed documentation and specific packaging methods to prevent accidents during transport.
Verizon has been given 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency regarding these allegations.
