DANGEROUS GOODS & CARGO SECURITY


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AIR CARG O WEEK


PROTECTING CARGO IN THE HOLD BY Anastasiya SIMSEK


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s air cargo volumes continue to rise—driven by electronics, e-commerce, and automotive parts—the challenge of managing dangerous goods is becoming more acute. Among the most pressing concerns is the transport of lithium-ion batteries, where incidents involving thermal


runaway are forcing the industry to rethink its approach to in-flight fire safety. Thermal runaway, often triggered by damaged or defective


cells, can escalate rapidly within dense cargo loads. As a result, containment is no longer viewed as a contingency measure but as a primary line of defence. “Something as simple as a single cell can trigger a cascading


fire or explosion within a tightly packed cargo environment,” says Natalie Paul, Vice President of Sales and Engineering at AmSafe Bridport. “The industry is no longer asking whether a fire can occur, but how best to contain and survive one in flight.” AmSafe Bridport, a long-established developer of fire containment solutions, has seen customer


requirements evolve well beyond


traditional Class A fire covers. Its portfolio now includes Fire Containment Covers, Bags, Pouches, and Container Fire Containment Covers, designed to protect everything from palletised freight to individual parcels. According to Paul, material performance is central to ef fective


containment. “All materials used in our Fire Containment Covers are flame- and heat-resistant,” she explains. “The design allows controlled smoke release so that aircraft smoke detection systems remain active during a fire, while external temperatures remain low enough to prevent spread to adjacent cargo.” Structural integrity also plays a critical


role. Fire-resistant


threads and carefully engineered seam placement are used to isolate vulnerable areas from direct flame exposure. Ongoing collaboration with suppliers supports the development of bespoke materials intended to address emerging risks.


New fire standards on the horizon Many fire containment solutions currently in service have been developed in the absence of formal regulatory standards. That situation is expected to change in the near term. “We are actively involved in the development of new lithium


battery fire test standards,” Paul says. “Once these are released in 2026, all of our products will be re-tested to ensure full compliance.” Until


then, operator expectations are shaping product


development. Airlines are increasingly seeking solutions that not only perform under extreme conditions but also integrate with broader fire detection, tracking, and response systems. “More operators are integrating Fire Containment Covers with


RFID and Bluetooth tags to enable real-time monitoring,” Paul notes. “By combining onboard suppression with physical containment, a multi-layered defence strategy becomes possible.”


Designing for the unknown Behind the scenes, engineers face a complex balancing act: developing containment solutions that are lightweight, durable, cost-effective, and capable of withstanding extreme temperatures. “Combining all of those requirements is challenging,” Paul admits.


“Cargo profiles are evolving quickly, particularly with new battery chemistries and higher energy densities. These introduce fire be- haviours the industry has not encountered before.” For that reason, continued investment in material science remains


a priority. “New lightweight materials and manufacturing techniques are essential,” she explains. “The aim is to improve performance mar- gins while making products easier and faster to deploy.” Looking ahead, fire containment is expected to become both smart-


er and more connected. The future, as Paul describes it, lies in layered and intelligent systems that combine advanced materials with re- al-time visibility. “By integrating physical containment with data and monitoring,


cargo fire safety becomes more adaptive and more resilient,” she says. “That approach will be increasingly essential as risks continue to evolve.”


www.aircargoweek.com 23 FEBRUARY 2026 ACW


While details of operational fire incidents are typically


confidential, AmSafe Bridport points to extensive controlled testing to demonstrate performance. “These tests consistently show that ef fective containment fire spread,


can prevent


critical time for diversion,” Paul says. “They reinforce the idea that containment is not a last resort, but a core risk-management tool.”


From equipment to implementation Even the most advanced containment systems are only ef fective when used correctly. To address this, AmSafe Bridport supports customers through hands-on training, global maintenance services, and detailed digital guidance covering installation, removal, and repair. “Operators are under pressure not just to have the right equipment,


but to use it consistently and correctly,” Paul observes. “The goal is to make implementation as straightforward as possible, wherever operations are based.” Across the sector, a more proactive approach to cargo fire safety


is taking hold. Fire covers are increasingly being adopted as standard equipment rather than deployed only in response to specific threat assessments. “Many airlines are now installing Fire Containment Covers as part


of their baseline cargo safety setup,” Paul says. “There is a clear and accelerating shift towards prevention and resilience.” Regulators are beginning to reflect


the same mindset, with


emerging rules placing greater emphasis on early intervention and in-flight survivability.


“The goal is to make


implementation as


straightforward as possible.”


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limit structural damage, and preserve


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