Thanks for the correction, I was confused because cargo shipments of batteries in cargo planes would not be affected. Apparently they are saying it's ok to lose the pilots (in a cargo plane) but not everyone in a passenger plane. Single phones would not be a threat, because one explosion could not cause a chain reaction, unlike a cargo shipment with many batteries close together.
I would guess it's less about it being OK to lose the pilot, but not passengers, and more about the pilot being aware of the type of cargo and its risks.
Article says the pilots association is in opposition, but you're right that individual pilots and their insurance companies are free to accept compensation for the risk.
