In a significant move to enhance aviation safety, India's aviation regulator has imposed a strict ban on the use and charging of power banks during flights. The new directive aims to mitigate the growing risk of fires caused by lithium-ion batteries, which have become a major concern globally.
New DGCA Rules: What's Banned and Why
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a fresh set of guidelines, prohibiting passengers from charging their portable electronic devices using power banks while onboard an aircraft. Furthermore, plugging power banks into the in-seat power supply systems provided by airlines is also no longer permitted.
The regulator has mandated that power banks and spare batteries can only be carried in hand baggage and must not be placed in the overhead storage bins. This decision comes in the wake of multiple reported incidents where lithium batteries have overheated or caught fire mid-flight, posing a severe threat to passenger safety.
Airlines Must Enforce Announcements and Reporting
As part of the new 'dangerous goods advisory circular', the DGCA has directed all airlines operating in India to make specific inflight announcements informing passengers about these restrictions. The rules clearly state that travelers must "immediately inform the cabin crew if any device emits heat, smoke, or an unusual odour."
Airlines are also required to promptly report all safety issues and occurrences related to lithium battery incidents to the DGCA. This move aligns India with the safety protocols of several other countries and major international carriers like Emirates and Singapore Airlines, which introduced similar restrictions last year.
The Hidden Risk: Cabin Bags Sent to the Hold
Aviation experts have raised a critical concern regarding the implementation of these rules. They warn that the one-hand-bag-per-passenger rule must be strictly enforced for the new directive to be effective. A common practice, especially on full flights, is for airline staff to collect hand baggage from passengers at the boarding gate or aerobridge when overhead bins are full. These bags are then placed in the aircraft's cargo hold.
This practice, experts argue, completely defeats the purpose of banning batteries from checked luggage. A battery catching fire in the baggage hold, where it remains undetected, can have catastrophic consequences, as fire can spread rapidly in an inaccessible area. A senior pilot emphasized that airlines must tackle the issue of excessive cabin baggage, and if they cannot, rules must ensure lithium batteries do not end up in the hold under any circumstance.
Understanding the Lithium Battery Threat
The DGCA circular explains the rationale behind the strict measures. It highlights the "energetic" nature of lithium battery fires, which can cause devices to explode. These fires can be triggered by uncontrolled heating, overcharging, physical damage, crushing, or internal short circuits due to poor manufacturing or aged batteries.
Unlike ordinary fires, lithium battery fires can be self-sustaining and require special methods to extinguish. The circular notes that power banks and portable chargers can act as ignition sources. When stowed in overhead bins or within carry-on bags, they may be obscured, making it difficult for crew or passengers to monitor them, leading to delayed detection and response to smoke or fire.
The general preventive measures outlined include minimizing the possibility of devices heating up, ensuring early detection of any fire, and reinforcing the effectiveness of onboard firefighting procedures. The overarching goal is to create a safer flying environment as the use of lithium battery-powered devices continues to soar among air travelers.
