Dangerous Goods
What are dangerous goods?
Many items which might appear to be harmless in everyday use can pose dangers wherever they are carried on an aircraft and are consequently forbidden for carriage by passengers either in the cabin or in their checked baggage.
Examples of such items include:
| Category | Examples |
| Explosives | fireworks, flares, party poppers, toy caps |
| Gases | mace, camping gas, culinary glazing torches |
| Flammable Liquids | machines with petrol fuelled engines (including those which have been drained), petrol, lighter fluid |
| Flammable Solids | non-safety matches |
| Oxidisers | bleach |
| Poisons | pesticides |
| Corrosives | car batteries, mercury |
Aircraft Operators and Staff
Airlines
Dangerous goods can only be carried according to the ICAO’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, irrespective of whether the flight is wholly or partly within or wholly outside the territory of Maldives. An approval must be granted by the CAA before dangerous goods can be carried on an aircraft.
The CAA grants this approval provided that in such instances an overall level of safety in transport which is at least equivalent to the level of safety provided for in the ICAO Instructions is achieved
Airline Staff
Personnel interfacing with passengers must be alert to indications that prohibited dangerous goods are carried by passengers or within their baggage. The UK CAA guidance on the recognition of prohibited dangerous goods within baggages is an important source of information for airline staff.
Passengers - What Can I Carry?
International standards allow passengers to carry dangerous goods either in carry-on baggage, checked baggage or on their person. However, passengers should be aware that airlines and security screening agencies have the right to refuse the carriage of certain dangerous goods and additional restrictions implemented by countries may limit or forbid the carriage of some items in the interests of aviation safety.
Certain sharp knives, ammunition, guns and certain scissors are banned from being taken into the cabin of the plane, whether in hand luggage or on your person. The CAA guidance leaflet What Can I Carry? gives more information.