New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator, DGCA has prohibited in-flight charging using power banks amid safety concerns linked to lithium battery fires.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said power banks can no longer be used to charge phones, laptops, or other electronic devices during flights. The restriction was issued through a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular aimed at reducing the risk of mid-air fires linked to lithium batteries.
Under the revised rules, power banks and spare lithium batteries will be allowed only in hand baggage and must not be stored in overhead bins. Passengers are also prohibited from charging power banks using aircraft in-seat power systems.
The decision follows an incident in October when a passenger’s power bank caught fire on an IndiGo flight bound for Dimapur while the aircraft was taxiing for departure at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The fire was quickly brought under control by the cabin crew, and no injuries were reported.
The DGCA has directed airlines to report all lithium battery-related incidents and safety issues to the regulator without delay. Airlines have also been instructed to make in-flight announcements informing passengers about the new restrictions and the potential risks posed by lithium batteries.
Passengers have been advised to immediately alert cabin crew if any electronic device shows signs of overheating, emits smoke, or produces an unusual smell during the flight.
The regulator said the measures are intended to improve onboard safety and prevent potentially dangerous incidents involving portable electronic devices as air travel continues to increase.
