Not Fireworks, But Fruit? IATA Reminds Travelers Of Coconut Meat’s Surprising “Spontaneous Combustion” Risk

Airplane travel requires a long list of banned items to guarantee a safe flight. These include aerosols, lithium batteries, e-cigarettes, and fireworks. But there may be an unsuspecting item on the list: coconut.

Why is the coconut banned?

The beloved fruit can be found in delicious dishes and cocktails and is a sunshine traveler’s favorite traveler’s—but it can be dangerous in flight.

The British newspaper The Independent explains that passengers can take whole coconuts on a plane, whether in their carry-on or checked baggage. However, the oil-rich inner part of the coconut, known to many as the fruit’s meat, is prohibited on most flights. This restriction is due to copra, the dried white flesh of the coconut that contains a high amount of oil, typically used for making coconut oil.

What does IATA say about dangerous goods?

According to the International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) guidelines on dangerous goods, copra is considered a fire risk during air travel.

This is because copra, classified under Class 4 hazardous goods, is a flammable solid that could potentially self-ignite or produce flammable gases when it comes into contact with water, posing a significant safety risk onboard.

IATA told the British media

“Perishable goods (such as fruits, flowers, and vegetables) were among the first commodities carried by air. However, such goods deteriorate over time and under extreme temperatures and humidity and must thus be handled carefully.”

The IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations (DGR) manual is the global reference for shipping dangerous goods by air and the only standard recognized by airlines.”

How are aircraft equipped to deal with cargo hold fire?

If passengers do bring flammable items onboard and an unlikely fire occurs, all modern aircraft passengers will encounter are equipped with containment measures to mitigate the risk to the flight.

The level of fire protection in commercial aircraft’s cargo compartments has been dramatically enhanced, resulting in much safer passenger and cargo flights. The modern commercial fleet is now equipped with three key features, as outlined by Airbus:

1. Air-tight and fire-proof cargo holds to ensure that any fire in the cargo compartment is contained and does not spread to other aircraft parts.

2. Cargo fire detection systems: These systems are designed to quickly and accurately detect any signs of fire or smoke in the cargo area, allowing immediate action.

3. Cargo fire suppression systems: In the event of a fire, these systems are activated to suppress and extinguish the fire, helping to prevent its spread and ensuring the safety of the aircraft and its occupants.

Related

How Are Aircraft Designed To Mitigate The Effects Of Cargo Hold Fires?

Fire suppression systems feature multiple redundancies.

In conclusion, the seemingly innocuous coconut poses a unique risk to air safety due to the copra within, which is classified as a flammable material by IATA. Despite their commonplace and inviting nature, the high oil content in coconuts makes them hazardous for air transport, necessitating strict regulations. Thankfully, advancements in aviation safety technology, including air-tight and fire-proof cargo holds, fire detection, and suppression systems, ensure that such risks are significantly mitigated. These measures allow airlines to maintain the highest safety standards for passengers and cargo, even when transporting potentially dangerous goods.

What do you think of the coconut ban? Let us know in the comments