New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued new safety guidelines banning the use of power banks during air travel. Passengers have been instructed not to use power banks on board aircraft or charge mobile phones and other electronic devices during flights, the DGCA said.
According to the new directive, passengers must keep power banks and spare batteries within reach at their seats and should not store them in overhead cabins. The DGCA said the order was issued in view of fire hazards linked to power banks and lithium-ion batteries.
The guidelines clearly state that power banks and other lithium battery-powered devices should not be kept in overhead compartments. Batteries used in cameras and other electronic devices are also barred from being stored in overhead cabins. While passengers may carry power banks with them during flights, they are strictly prohibited from using them.
Charging devices using power outlets near aircraft seats has also been banned under the new safety measures.
Several international airlines had already imposed similar restrictions. Emirates Airlines banned the use of power banks on its flights last year, allowing passengers to carry only power banks rated below 100 watt-hours, but without permitting their use for charging devices. Singapore Airlines introduced a similar ban in April last year, followed by airlines such as Cathay Pacific and Qatar Airways.
The DGCA said the latest restrictions are aimed at enhancing passenger safety and preventing onboard fire incidents linked to battery-powered devices.
