A massive leap forward in the potential for fuel cells has occurred following a drafting of conditions by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to allow them on passenger aeroplanes.

The potential of fuel cell technology has always been held back in the past because the ICAO's Dangerous Goods Panel has always refused to allow fuel cells in items such as laptops and mobile phones onto planes for fears over the safety of the devices.

However, at a meeting in Canada, the panel has had discussions in favour of allowing both micro fuel cells and methanol fuel cell cartridges onto aircraft and if the decision is accepted and ratified by the ICAO, fuel cells could be allowed on board aeroplanes by January 2007.

Robert Wichert, technical director of the US Fuel Cell Council (USFCC) which proposed the change, commented: "The ability to move fuel cells and fuel cartridges as passenger carry-on items opens the door for clean, efficient fuel cells to provide extended run-times and new device technologies to the international traveller."

President of the Methanol Institute, John Lynn, added: "This is a critical milestone in the global commercialisation of micro methanol fuel cells."

He also suggested that fuel cells could be as commonplace as traditional batteries on store shelves within "a few short years".


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