India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has introduced new safety rules for air travel after several incidents involving power banks and lithium batteries catching fire during flights. The DGCA has now banned the use of power banks for charging devices while passengers are on board aircraft.

According to a recently issued Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular, passengers are no longer allowed to use power banks to charge mobile phones, tablets, laptops or any other electronic devices during a flight. The decision was taken after multiple safety incidents where lithium batteries overheated or caught fire mid-air, raising serious concerns about passenger safety.

Under the new rules, power banks and spare lithium batteries can only be carried in hand baggage. They must not be kept in checked-in luggage or placed inside overhead cabin bins. This is because batteries stored in overhead compartments may go unnoticed if they overheat or catch fire, increasing the risk to passengers and crew.

Passengers are also not allowed to charge power banks using the in-seat power outlets provided by airlines. This means travellers can neither charge their power banks nor use them to charge other devices during the flight. These restrictions apply to all domestic and international flights operated by Indian airlines.

The move comes after an incident in October when a passenger’s power bank caught fire on an IndiGo flight that was preparing to depart from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport to Dimapur. The aircraft was still on the ground at the time, and no passengers were injured. The cabin crew acted quickly and managed to put out the fire before it could spread.

Under the updated guidelines, airlines must report all incidents related to lithium batteries to the DGCA without delay. Airlines are also required to make announcements during flights to inform passengers about the new safety rules.

Passengers have been advised to stay alert during flights. If any electronic device becomes unusually hot, emits smoke, or gives off a burning smell, passengers must immediately inform the cabin crew so that quick action can be taken. The DGCA said the new rules are aimed at improving flight safety and preventing serious accidents linked to battery fires onboard aircraft.