Why has India banned the use of power banks on flights?

India’s aviation regulator has tightened rules on power banks aboard aircraft, citing growing concerns over fire risks linked to lithium-ion batteries. The move, announced amid a spate of global in-flight incidents, marks a significant shift in how passengers can carry and use everyday electronic accessories while flying.

What exactly has the DGCA prohibited?

India’s civil aviation watchdog, the “Directorate General of Civil Aviation”, has barred passengers from using power banks to charge phones or other devices during flights. Power banks can no longer be plugged into in-seat power outlets, nor can they be stored in overhead bins.

Under the new advisory, power banks and spare lithium batteries are permitted only in hand luggage and must remain under passenger supervision. Airlines have also been instructed to make regular in-flight announcements explaining the restrictions and to report all lithium battery-related incidents to the regulator.

Why are power banks being singled out?

Power banks rely on lithium-ion batteries, which are prized for their high energy density — meaning they can store a lot of power in a compact size. But that same feature makes them potentially dangerous in confined environments like aircraft cabins.

If damaged, overcharged, overheated or poorly manufactured, lithium-ion batteries can enter a state known as thermal runaway — an uncontrollable rise in temperature that can lead to fires or explosions. Such fires are especially hazardous on planes, where smoke spreads quickly and evacuation mid-air is impossible.

Why overhead bins are now off-limits

One of the DGCA’s key concerns is delayed detection. When power banks are stored in overhead bins or inside packed carry-on bags, early warning signs such as heat, smoke or a burning smell may go unnoticed.

The regulator has warned that lithium battery fires are “energetic” and difficult to suppress. If a fire breaks out in an inaccessible overhead compartment, crew response time can be critical — and delays can significantly increase risk to passengers and aircraft safety.

What incidents triggered the crackdown?

Globally, aviation authorities have been on alert after several high-profile incidents involving lithium batteries. In India, a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire on an IndiGo flight last year while the aircraft was taxiing. Internationally, a lithium battery was suspected to be behind a major fire on a South Korean aircraft in early 2025.

These episodes have reinforced long-standing aviation concerns that everyday consumer electronics — especially uncertified or high-capacity power banks — can act as ignition sources in flight.

Is India acting alone on this?

No. India’s move aligns with a broader international trend. Countries such as South Korea have already banned power banks and e-cigarettes from overhead storage, while airlines including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways and AirAsia have restricted or prohibited the use of power banks onboard.

Aviation regulators worldwide increasingly view lithium battery risks as a systemic safety issue rather than isolated incidents.

What passengers should know before flying

Passengers are now required to:

• Carry power banks only in hand baggage
• Keep them under personal supervision during the flight
• Avoid charging power banks or using them with seat power systems
• Immediately alert cabin crew if any device overheats, smokes or emits an unusual smell

Airports have also been directed to display safety warnings at terminals, check-in counters and boarding gates, while airlines must ensure crew are trained to handle lithium battery fires using appropriate equipment.

Why lithium battery fires worry aviation experts

Unlike conventional fires, lithium-ion battery fires can burn intensely and release toxic gases. Water is often ineffective — and sometimes dangerous — as a firefighting response. In the enclosed space of an aircraft cabin, smoke inhalation and heat can quickly become life-threatening.

While such fires are rare, aviation safety philosophy is built around eliminating even low-probability, high-impact risks. From the regulator’s perspective, limiting how and where power banks are used is a precautionary step to prevent a potentially catastrophic scenario at 35,000 feet.