DELHI— The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new advisory banning the use of power banks to charge devices during flights across India. Under the updated aviation safety guidelines, passengers are no longer permitted to use power banks while airborne, including plugging them into aircraft seat power outlets.
The DGCA’s circular also mandates that power banks and similar spare lithium batteries must be carried only in hand baggage and must not be stowed in overhead compartments. Airlines have begun reinforcing this restriction via pre‑flight announcements and cabin crew briefings to ensure passenger compliance and heighten inflight safety awareness.
India Bans Power Ban Use
Passengers may still bring portable chargers on board, but in‑flight use is strictly banned. This means power banks cannot be used to charge phones, tablets, or any other gadgets during the flight.
The rule also extends to using aircraft seat power outlets to charge or power these devices with a power bank.
Airlines are now required to update their safety announcements and instruct crews to monitor compliance throughout flights. Cabin crew will advise passengers to keep power banks within easy reach and inform them that charging the device while airborne is no longer allowed.
The regulator’s emphasis on hand baggage storage is aimed at allowing crew to detect and respond to any signs of battery overheating quickly.
Passengers should also be aware that lithium‑ion batteries pose a unique risk if damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme conditions.
These batteries can undergo a process known as “thermal runaway,” where internal faults lead to rapidly escalating heat and potentially uncontrollable fires within enclosed aircraft cabins.
Global Airline Policies
International carriers have already taken similar measures in response to safety data and high‑profile incidents.
For example, Emirates Airline (EK) began banning the use of power banks aboard its aircraft from October 1, 2025, limiting passengers to carrying one power bank under 100 watt‑hours that must remain switched off throughout the flight.
Singapore Airlines stopped allowing the in‑flight use or charging of portable power banks in April 2025, while several Asia‑Pacific carriers have prohibited placing power banks in overhead bins to ensure they remain within a passenger’s sight.
These moves follow global industry concerns that lithium battery smoke or fire can spread rapidly and challenge standard firefighting capabilities on board.
Impact on passengers
Travellers are now advised to fully charge their devices before departure and plan their battery usage accordingly, as inflight power bank use will result in reminders or instructions to power down by airline cabin crew.
Carrying spare batteries remains permissible, but these must not be used while the aircraft is airborne. Airlines may also provide additional guidance on specific watt‑hour limits and approved battery ratings.
Passengers should check individual airline policies before travelling, particularly on regional or international routes where limits and enforcement practices can differ.
The regulatory changes reflect a proactive global aviation safety community response to mitigate fire risks associated with high‑energy density batteries.
Bottom Line
The DGCA’s new ban on using power banks inflight represents a significant shift in aviation safety enforcement in India.
Passengers must now carry power banks only in cabin baggage and refrain from using them mid‑flight.
Airlines and global regulators have tightened related rules following incidents and safety data linking lithium‑ion battery failures to cabin fire risks.
Travellers should prepare ahead by checking airline policies, charging devices before boarding, and keeping battery‑powered devices on their person throughout the flight.
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