{"id":128215,"date":"2026-01-05T13:01:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-05T07:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=128215"},"modified":"2026-01-05T00:38:15","modified_gmt":"2026-01-04T19:08:15","slug":"india-bans-power-bank-use-on-flights-under-new-advisory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/01\/05\/india-bans-power-bank-use-on-flights-under-new-advisory\/","title":{"rendered":"India Bans Power Bank Use on Flights Under New Advisory"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DELHI\u2014<\/strong> The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The DGCA\u2019s circular also mandates that power banks and similar spare lithium batteries must be carried only in hand baggage and must not<\/em> be stowed in overhead compartments. Airlines have begun reinforcing this restriction via pre\u2011flight announcements and cabin crew briefings to ensure passenger compliance and heighten inflight safety awareness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"India
Photo: Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

India Bans Power Ban Use<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Passengers may still bring portable chargers on board, but in\u2011flight use is strictly banned. This means power banks cannot be used to charge phones, tablets, or any other gadgets during the flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The rule also extends to using aircraft seat power outlets to charge or power these devices with a power bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airlines are now required to update their safety announcements and instruct crews to monitor compliance throughout flights. Cabin crew<\/a> will advise passengers to keep power banks within easy reach and inform them that charging the device while airborne is no longer allowed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulator\u2019s emphasis on hand baggage storage is aimed at allowing crew to detect and respond to any signs of battery overheating quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers should also be aware that lithium\u2011ion batteries pose a unique risk if damaged, overcharged, or exposed to extreme conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These batteries can undergo a process known as \u201cthermal runaway,\u201d where internal faults lead to rapidly escalating heat and potentially uncontrollable fires within enclosed aircraft cabins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"India
Photo: Emirates<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Global Airline Policies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

International carriers have already taken similar measures in response to safety data and high\u2011profile incidents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, Emirates Airline (EK)<\/a> began banning the use of power banks aboard its aircraft from October 1, 2025, limiting passengers to carrying one power bank under 100 watt\u2011hours that must remain switched off throughout the flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore Airlines stopped allowing the in\u2011flight use or charging of portable power banks in April 2025, while several Asia\u2011Pacific carriers have prohibited placing power banks in overhead bins to ensure they remain within a passenger\u2019s sight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These moves follow global industry concerns that lithium battery smoke or fire can spread rapidly and challenge standard firefighting capabilities on board.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Photo: Bhavya Velani, Aviation A2Z<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Impact on passengers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2011hour limits and approved battery ratings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers should check individual airline policies before travelling, particularly on regional or international routes where limits and enforcement practices can differ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The regulatory changes reflect a proactive global aviation safety community response to mitigate fire risks associated with high\u2011energy density batteries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Air
Photo- Air India<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The DGCA\u2019s new ban on using power banks inflight represents a significant shift in aviation safety enforcement in India. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Passengers must now carry power banks only in cabin baggage and refrain from using them mid\u2011flight. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Airlines and global regulators have tightened related rules following incidents and safety data linking lithium\u2011ion battery failures to cabin fire risks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travellers should prepare ahead by checking airline policies, charging devices before boarding, and keeping battery\u2011powered devices on their person throughout the flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on\u00a0Telegram Group\u00a0<\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on\u00a0Google News<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emirates Bans Power Bank Use on Flights from Dubai Airport<\/a><\/blockquote>