Charging Power Banks On Flights Banned In India, DGCA Issues New Guidelines

New Delhi: An important change has been made regarding air travel in India. Now charging portable electronic devices during flight has been banned. Charging by plugging the power bank into the power socket installed in the seat has also been banned. This decision has been taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), keeping in mind the safety of passengers. The new rules have been implemented with immediate effect, and airlines have been instructed to strictly follow them.

Why did DGCA take this decision?

DGCA has taken this step after incidents of fire involving lithium batteries in recent months. There were several complaints of power bank and battery overheating during the flight. In some cases, smoke and burning situations also occurred. Given such risks, the regulator considered it a serious security threat.

Where to keep the power bank?

According to the new rules, power banks and spare batteries can be kept in handbags only. Passengers will no longer be allowed to keep these in overhead bins or check-in baggage. It is considered necessary to remain in sight of the passengers in the cabin so that immediate action can be taken in case of any emergency.

What changed regarding charging in flight?

Now passengers will not be able to charge the power bank during the flight. The power supply system installed in the seat also cannot be used for this purpose. However, some airlines may allow direct charging of mobiles or laptops as per their rules, but charging power banks is completely prohibited.

What to do if the device overheats?

DGCA guidelines clearly state that if any device gets hot, smoke comes out, or there is a strange smell, then the passenger should immediately inform the cabin crew. Airlines will also have to inform DGCA about every such incident without delay. This has been kept in the category of mandatory reporting.

What instructions have been given to airlines?

Airlines have been asked to clearly communicate the safety rules related to lithium batteries to passengers. Besides, instructions have also been given to strictly implement the rule of one handbag per passenger. This will limit the number of extra batteries and electronic items in the cabin.

What effect will this have on passengers?

Passengers will now have to fully charge their devices before travelling. This may be a bit inconvenient on long flights. But aviation experts say that convenience cannot be given priority over safety.

Is this rule temporary?

At present DGCA has called it a permanent step related to security. This may change in the future due to technological improvements or new safety systems. For now this rule will remain applicable on all domestic and international flights.

What precautions should travelers take?

Passengers have been advised to use power banks of standard quality, protect them from damage or overheating and immediately inform the crew in case of any abnormal situation. This decision clearly indicates that battery safety is now being given top priority in air travel.