The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a strict and urgent safety warning for air travellers. You will no longer be able to charge your mobile phone or any other gadget with a power bank during a flight. Furthermore, strict guidelines have been issued regarding the use of power outlets provided on aircraft seats. This decision was taken in light of the increasing incidents of lithium battery explosions and fires worldwide. If you frequently use power banks while traveling, this news is very important for you.
Charging with power banks prohibited
Aviation regulator DGCA has clarified that lithium-ion batteries used in power banks can overheat due to low air pressure and in a closed cabin. If the battery overheats and catches fire during charging, it could pose a significant threat to the safety of the entire flight.
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The smoke and flames emitted by lithium batteries are so intense that they are extremely difficult to extinguish. To mitigate this risk, charging any device using a power bank on board a flight is now strictly prohibited. Airlines have been strictly instructed to inform passengers about this new rule.
New Rules for Power Banks and Batteries
The DGCA has clarified in its “Dangerous Goods Advisory” that passengers can carry power banks with them, but certain strict conditions have been set. Power banks can now only be carried in hand baggage. Putting them in checked-in baggage is strictly prohibited.
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Furthermore, charging any device with a power bank during a flight will not be permitted. Seat-mounted power outlets can only be used if approved by the airline crew, and the mobile phone is not overheating. Violating these rules could result in a passenger being considered a safety risk.
Carrying batteries in the overhead cabin a risk
Passengers often leave their handbags in the overhead storage bin. According to the DGCA, this can be a particularly dangerous area. If a fire breaks out in a bag inside an overhead bin due to a power bank, it may not be immediately detected.
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By the time smoke emerges, the fire has already become flammable. Being out of the sight of passengers and crew, response time is greatly reduced. Therefore, safety protocols now require that power banks be located in a location within direct passenger view, allowing for immediate detection of any odour or smoke.
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Crew Training and Fire Fighting Equipment
Not limiting regulations to mere paperwork, the DGCA has instructed airlines to beef up their safety systems. Cabin crew will now receive advanced training to quickly identify lithium battery fires and extinguish them.
Every aircraft is now mandated to have specialized firefighting equipment and protective gear (such as lithium battery shut-off bags). Passengers will be strictly warned of these hazards through announcements upon boarding and in-flight, ensuring no inconvenience during their travel.