Lufthansa Says Apple AirTags Are Once Again Allowed in Checked Bags

On Wednesday, the German airline said that it would allow Apple AirTags and other tracking devices in checked baggage again.

Tracking devices with very low battery and transmission power in checked luggage don't pose a safety risk according to the airline. These devices can be used on flights.

There was a storm of confusion and criticism after the airline told passengers that they would have to remove the tracking devices from baggage because of international guidelines for personal electronic devices.

Apple said its trackers comply with all safety regulations.

The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that in the US. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency said that its regulation did not ban or allow the trackers, but that operators had the right to decide which devices were safe to use.

German aviation authorities are said to have given advice to the airline. Martin Leutke, a spokesman for the airline, said that he had no further comment.

The policy of the airline was under fire when it was reported that it had banned the devices due to the reports of passengers using them to find their luggage.

The International Civil Aviation Organization's guidelines for dangerous goods as well as the trackers' "transmission function" were cited as reasons why the trackers should be removed from checked baggage. Shutting off the tracker makes them useless.

On Tuesday, it tried to clarify its position, with Mr. Leutke saying the airline had not banned the devices and believed they were safe, but that it was on the authorities to limit the use of these devices for airline passengers.

In the United States, the trackers are allowed in carry-on or checked baggage. Tile is a popular tracker sold by a number of other companies.

Apple said that AirTags are compliant with international airline travel safety regulations.

The technology used in the devices is similar to the technology used in headphones on flights. A secure signal is sent to nearby Apple devices when they share their last location.

I.C.A.O. does not have specific standards for cargo tracking devices, and Apple does not have a definition of a personal consumer electronic device. They tend to have bigger batteries.

The organization said that it doesn't play an oversight role over the airlines. The international trade group's guidelines on what passengers can and can't do trickle down to the airlines and regulators.

The CR2032 coin cell batteries are commonly used in watches. The Federal Aviation Administration, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and the International Air Transport Association have all approved the use of those batteries.

Low-powered wireless communication can be used on board planes in the US. Tracking devices are allowed in both carry-on and checked bags, according to the transportation security administration.