DGCA prohibits in-flight use of power banks over safety concerns

In a move aimed at strengthening passenger safety, India’s civil aviation regulator has announced new restrictions on the use of power banks during air travel.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prohibited passengers from using power banks to charge mobile phones, laptops, or any other electronic devices while on board aircraft.

The ban also extends to charging through seat-mounted power outlets.

The decision follows a growing number of incidents worldwide involving lithium batteries overheating or igniting during flights.

Such events have raised serious safety concerns due to the confined space of aircraft cabins and the potential risk to passengers and crew.

Through an official advisory, the DGCA has instructed all airlines to reassess their safety risk evaluations related to lithium batteries carried by passengers.

Carriers have been urged to implement stricter preventive measures to minimise the chances of battery-related fires.

The regulator has also stressed the importance of quick detection and effective response in case an incident occurs during a flight.

Cabin crew training has been given special emphasis under the new guidelines.

According to the advisory, crew members must be capable of identifying early warning signs such as unusual heat, smoke, or flames from electronic devices.

They are also expected to be proficient in using appropriate firefighting equipment and to understand the health risks associated with smoke inhalation.

The DGCA noted that similar safety measures have already been adopted by several international airlines and aviation authorities.

Major carriers such as Emirates and Singapore Airlines have enforced comparable restrictions to reduce onboard fire hazards.

The advisory also comes in the backdrop of a domestic incident reported in October last year, when a passenger’s power bank caught fire on an IndiGo flight bound for Dimapur.

Although no injuries were reported and all passengers were safe, the episode underscored the potential danger posed by lithium batteries.

With these new rules, the DGCA aims to further enhance in-flight safety and prevent avoidable risks linked to portable power devices.

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