Are Power Banks About To Get Banned On Flights In India? Here’s What You Need To Know

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is reportedly reviewing new restrictions on carrying power banks aboard aircraft following a recent safety scare. A passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire on a Dimapur-bound flight while the plane was taxiing at Delhi Airport, prompting authorities to consider tightening existing norms.

Presently, DGCA norms permit passengers to carry power banks with capacities up to 100 watt-hours (about 27,000mAh). But in line with growing worldwide concerns about the safety of lithium-ion batteries, the regulator is considering tighter controls. According to a Times of India report, the DGCA has initiated a technical examination and could soon issue revised guidelines for passengers.

ALSO READ: Meta Joins Big Tech Layoff Wave, Cuts 600 Jobs In AI Superintelligence Division

The agency is meeting with technical professionals and global aviation organizations in order to draft strong safety guidelines. Reports suggest that future regulations may dictate where and how power banks are stowed onboard. Internationally, airlines have implemented varying regulations: some mandate that power banks be stored in personal luggage under the seat and not overhead, lowering the risk of fire.

Accidents with lithium-ion batteries have highlighted the risks. Thermal runaway, in which a battery heats up without any way to stop it, can cause fires or explosions—particularly risky in an enclosed aircraft cabin.

Global airlines have already begun to further restrict them. Emirates Airlines, for instance, beginning October 1, prohibited in-flight use of power banks altogether. Passengers are allowed to bring only a single device with less than 100 watt-hours and are not allowed to charge devices or power banks on board. Singapore Airlines has also banned charging power banks through onboard USB ports on the grounds of similar safety reasons. In another incident, an Air China flight from China to South Korea was redirected to Shanghai following a fire caused by a lithium battery aboard.

ALSO READ: Sundar Pichai: Willow Chip Marks 'Significant Step Toward Real-World Quantum Computing'

The DGCA's proposed new regulations mirror an increasing world attention on lithium-ion battery safety as they seek to avoid accidents that would compromise air passenger safety.