Battery restrictions on airlines?

Planning a trip which involves Air Tahiti (not Air Tahiti Nui). I was surprised to see lithium batteries mentioned as a restricted item on their website:
http://www.airtahiti.a​ero/faq.php?cat=Baggag​e#59
I'm guessing they're concerned about laptop batteries:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06227/7​13653-96.stm
and suspect my camera batteries will not be an issue. Has anyone had issues flying with lithium batteries??

By the way, I've talked with the place we're staying and they said they had not heard of any issues, and that their visitors, of course, have lots of batteries with them.

I would be shocked to see an airline restrict lithium batteries. That would ban almost all phones, laptops, ipods...

I find it hard to believe also.

Hoiwever, I was amazed to see what you're allowed to take as carry-on baggage: 1 piece with dimensions not exceeding 45 x 35 x 20 cm ( 17” x 13” x 7” ) and weight under 3 kg (6.6lbs). I've done a lot of research in this area (trying to find the "perfect" carry-on bag for my camera gear) and that's by far the most restrictive I've ever seen!

Many airlines are looking at this ban after the spate of exploding laptop batteries (thanks Sony).

Lithium-based batteries have not been allowd as cargo for quite a number of years.

Mobile phone manufactureras has to either ship their phones by boat, or ship them without batteries.

A Lithium-Thionyl battery of a couple of grams has the explosive power of a gunshot if shorted.

pwm2 wrote in post #3460801
A Lithium-Thionyl battery of a couple of grams has the explosive power of a gunshot if shorted.

This is all making me much more careful about transporting these batteries. I'll pack them in individual plastic containers to eliminate ANY chance of shorting.

Also, and I know this is overkill, but I bought a spare Canon battery instead of taking a SterlingTek battery. I figure they're better built. I'd feel terrible to be the cause of ANY safety issue on a plane.

By the way, Stewart, these weight/size restrictions are common outside the US. Encountered them on an Intra-Europe flight last year. Travel light!

Larger batteries will normally not explode - they have safety valves to let out the preassure. However, since they contain so much energy then can melt or catch fire.

I would think that all larger batteries also have a short-circuit fuse. The problem is more that a battery may get an internal short in one of the cells.

i just flew to hawaii and back with no issues at all. just leave them in the bag with your camera.