Will DGCA Ban Power Banks On Indian Flights Following IndiGo Fire Incident? Here’s What You Need To Know

Following an in-flight fire incident on a Delhi-Dimapur IndiGo flight this week, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is reviewing the possibility of imposing a nationwide ban or stricter regulation on the use of power banks aboard aircraft.

This development follows a recent incident in which a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire on a Delhi-Dimapur IndiGo flight during taxiing for departure at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday. However, no injuries were reported as the cabin crew promptly extinguished the fire.

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DGCA Launches Safety Review On Power Banks Aboard Flights

The DGCA has launched a comprehensive review on how power banks are managed on aircraft by both passengers and airlines. Depending on the assessment, the regulator may introduce stricter measures on power banks, including a ban on in-flight use, capacity restrictions, or even a complete prohibition if risks remain significant.

Global Airlines Tighten Rules On Power Banks

Earlier, in October, Emirates Airlines imposed a ban on the use of power banks across all its flights. This means passengers are now allowed to carry only power banks rated below 100 watt-hours and are strictly prohibited from charging them or using them to power electronic devices while on board.

In a similar move, Singapore Airlines introduced new guidelines in April prohibiting passengers from using or charging power banks while on board.

Power Bank Caught Fire During Taxiing

Following the in-flight fire incident, IndiGo Airlines issued a statement, saying that flight 6E 2107, bound for Dimapur from Delhi, had to return to the bay shortly after taxiing when “a minor fire broke out due to a passenger’s personal electronic device kept in the seat-back pocket.”

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“The crew managed the situation quickly by diligently following standard operating procedures, and the incident was controlled within seconds,” the statement added.

All passengers and crew members were safe, and the incident caused no damage to the aircraft. It was cleared for normal operation following safety inspections.