In the wake of Boeing's lithium-ion battery challenges, Airbus decided not to go with the same technology in the new plane -- opting instead for traditional -- and heavier -- nickel-cadmium batteries.

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Boeing convinced regulators to allow the use of lithium-ion batteries on its 787, which are lighter and pack more energy than traditional nickel-cadmium batteries, but are prone to catching on fire.

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It has long been known that lithium batteries are more susceptible than conventional nickel-cadmium batteries to extreme, uncontrolled temperature increases and fires that are very different to put out.

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The European planemaker said it would use traditional nickel-cadmium batteries instead, as already used in the A380 and other models.

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BYD, for example, is the world's largest maker of nickel-cadmium batteries, and India's Reliance Group makes more polyester fibre and yarn than anyone else.

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Meanwhile, as Boeing scrambles to find a quick fix and keep its customers happy, one of its biggest competitors is working to make sure its own planes are kept in the air: A spokesman for Airbus, which uses similar lithium-ion batteries in its A350 wide body jet, told the Reuters news service that the company is considering dropping Lithium-ion batteries and switching back to traditional nickel-cadmium power units.

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Even more problematic, however, is the fact that lithium-ion batteries are much more compact than nickel-cadmium ones.

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So, if these batteries are the root of the problem, why not go back to nickel-cadmium?

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