The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a comprehensive review of power bank usage on flights following a fire incident on an IndiGo aircraft flying from Delhi to Dimapur earlier this week.
According to reports, a passenger’s power bank caught fire during taxiing, prompting the crew to take immediate action. No injuries were reported as the cabin crew quickly extinguished the flames using standard emergency procedures.
Possible Restrictions on Power Bank Use
DGCA officials said the review will assess how passengers and airlines handle lithium battery-powered devices. The outcome could result in mandatory restrictions on battery capacity, a ban on in-flight use, or, in extreme cases, a complete prohibition on carrying power banks aboard aircraft if risks cannot be effectively mitigated.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has also been briefed and is working closely with the DGCA to frame new safety regulations that minimize the potential fire hazards associated with portable batteries.
IndiGo’s Official Statement on the Incident
IndiGo confirmed the October 19 incident involving flight 6E 2107 (Delhi–Dimapur) and said that the aircraft returned to the bay after detecting smoke from a power bank stored in a seat-back pocket.
“The crew managed the situation quickly by diligently following the standard operating procedure, and the incident was controlled within seconds,” the airline said. The flight resumed after safety checks, and no passengers were injured. IndiGo thanked its customers for remaining calm during the brief delay.
Rising Global Concerns Over Lithium Batteries
The IndiGo incident follows another fire involving a lithium battery on an Air China flight operating from Hangzhou to Seoul earlier this week. Aviation safety authorities worldwide have grown increasingly concerned about thermal runaway risks from lithium batteries, prompting tighter scrutiny over their storage and use on aircraft.
