Airlines move to bar power bank use in flight after DGCA circular

Airlines have begun restricting the use of power banks on board flights after a DGCA circular warned of fire risks from lithium batteries and asked operators to strengthen onboard safety measures

Airlines have begun asking passengers not to use power banks on board and are ensuring that such devices remain with passengers if hand baggage is taken at the boarding gate for check-in.

 

The move follows a Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) circular issued on November 11, which warned that the growing use of lithium batteries in portable electronic devices has increased safety risks on board aircraft. “Power banks, portable chargers, and similar devices” containing lithium batteries can act as ignition sources and potentially trigger onboard fires, the regulator said.

 

Airlines did not respond to Business Standard’s queries on the circular. However, a senior airline executive said cabin crew have begun making in-flight announcements asking passengers not to use power banks or charge them using aircraft USB ports, and to ensure that power banks are kept on their person and are not placed in overhead bins. 

 

In its circular, the DGCA stated that lithium batteries stored in overhead bins or inside cabin baggage are difficult to access or monitor by passengers or crew, which could delay the detection of smoke or fire and heighten risks to flight safety.

 

“Lithium battery fires are very energetic and can result in the explosion of the device,” the circular said, adding that such fires may be triggered by overheating, overcharging, crushing, internal short circuits, poor manufacturing quality, or damage due to mishandling.

 

According to the regulator, there have been “numerous” safety occurrences globally in recent times in which lithium batteries carried on board aircraft were suspected to be the cause. The DGCA directed airlines and airport operators to review and strengthen their safety risk management processes related to the handling of lithium batteries and rechargeable devices, including laptops, mobile phones, and tablets.

 

As part of the measures outlined for airlines, the DGCA asked operators to enhance risk assessments related to lithium batteries, adopt mitigation measures to reduce the likelihood of cabin fires, and ensure early detection and effective firefighting capabilities on board.

 

Airlines have also been asked to review the adequacy of emergency equipment, including personal protective equipment for cabin crew, and align operating procedures with guidance issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization, aircraft manufacturers, and the DGCA.

 

The circular places significant emphasis on crew training, asking airlines to reinforce competencies through safety, emergency procedures, and dangerous goods training. Crew members should be trained “to recognise early signs of lithium battery thermal runaway (for example, overheating, smoke, or flames), identify secondary hazards including smoke inhalation, and ensure firefighting equipment and fire containment kits are accessible and serviceable.

 

For passengers, the DGCA told airlines to strengthen communication through announcements, signage, and digital messaging. These include cabin announcements advising passengers to “carry power banks and spare batteries only in hand baggage”, that “using or charging power banks is not permitted during flight”, and that “immediately inform cabin crew if any device emits heat, smoke, or an unusual odor”.

 

The regulator also directed airlines to ensure that cabin crew inform passengers that power banks and spare batteries must not be placed in overhead bins.

 

Airport operators, meanwhile, were asked to display clear notices and videos across terminals, check-in counters, lounges, boarding gates, and security checkpoints to raise awareness of lithium battery fire risks. They were also told to caution passengers against charging such devices prior to boarding and to work with all stakeholders to improve awareness of safe carriage practices.

 

The DGCA also directed airlines to promptly report all safety issues and occurrences related to lithium battery incidents, underlining the regulator’s growing focus on mitigating onboard fire risks linked to portable electronic devices. 

Change in the air

 

* Airport operators asked to display notices and videos across terminals

 

* Airlines directing passengers to carry power banks and spare batteries only in hand baggage and not to use them on board

 

* Passengers must immediately inform cabin crew if any device emits heat, smoke, or an unusual odour