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India has introduced tougher safety regulations for flights regarding power banks and devices that use lithium batteries. The aviation authority, known as the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has banned the use of power banks to charge phones or other gadgets during air travel. This includes charging through power outlets at seats, due to a number of global incidents where lithium batteries overheated or caught fire. In a 'Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular' released in November, the DGCA stated that power banks and extra batteries must only be placed in carry-on luggage and can’t be stored in overhead bins, as fires in those areas are more difficult to detect and manage. Lithium battery fires pose significant threats because they can be very powerful and may even sustain themselves, making them hard to control.
The circular mentioned, "The common use of lithium batteries in many rechargeable devices has led to more lithium batteries being carried by air. Power banks, portable chargers, and similar items with lithium batteries can ignite and potentially start fires on board. " The regulator further cautioned that storing these batteries in certain parts of the aircraft could increase danger. "Lithium batteries put in overhead storage or in hand luggage might be hidden, hard to reach, or not easily noticed by passengers or crew. This could delay spotting smoke or fire and subsequent actions, heightening the risk to flight safety," it stated. The DGCA emphasized that lithium battery fires are very fierce and can even cause personal devices to explode. "A fire from a lithium battery can be ignited due to excessive heat, overcharging, crushing, or an internal short circuit caused by poor manufacturing, old batteries, or damage from mishandling. Unlike typical fires, lithium battery fires can sustain themselves and need special handling methods," noted the advisory.
In the advisory, the DGCA instructed airlines to reassess their safety risk evaluations concerning lithium batteries that passengers bring on board. Airlines should implement stricter measures to avoid battery-related fires in airplane cabins and to ensure prompt detection and effective firefighting if an incident occurs. The authority also highlighted the importance of improved training for crew members. Cabin crew should be able to identify early warning signs such as overheating, smoke, or flames from electronic devices, use the appropriate firefighting tools, and comprehend the dangers of smoke inhalation. Airlines need to make sure that firefighting gear and protective equipment on the aircraft are sufficient and easily accessible. A major emphasis of the DGCA's advisory is on raising passenger awareness. Airlines have been instructed to make passengers aware of the new safety regulations through in-flight announcements, with the regulator emphasizing the importance of quick reporting and response. Passengers must "instantly notify the cabin crew if any device releases heat, smoke, or a strange smell," the regulations state, while airlines have been instructed to "quickly report any safety issues or occurrences related to lithium battery incidents to the DGCA".
Airport managers have been told to help raise awareness. The DGCA has requested that airports show clear safety information and videos about the dangers of lithium battery fires at places like terminal entrances, check-in areas, security points, and boarding gates. Airports are encouraged to collaborate with airlines and others to inform travelers about how to safely handle power banks and battery-operated gadgets, including advising against charging these devices right before getting on board. The DGCA mentioned that this advisory came after an increase in safety incidents around the world where lithium batteries taken onto planes were thought to be the cause. With more people traveling by air and using electronic devices, the regulator emphasized that preventing fires related to batteries needs stricter inspections by airlines, better-trained staff, and knowledgeable passengers. "When the DGCA provides guidelines or regulations, it prioritizes the safety of both the people and the aircraft. It conducts in-depth research and extensive discussions, often based on inputs from the International Civil Aviation Organisation, which engages with stakeholders globally," said Union Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu.
"So, once they establish a certain rule or guideline, it is essential for us to adhere to it so we can ensure safety, and that’s why we are implementing it," he continued. Similar restrictions were previously put in place by various international airlines and countries, including Emirates and Singapore Airlines, after lithium battery incidents reported last year. In October of last year, a passenger's power bank reportedly ignited on a Dimapur-bound IndiGo flight while it was taxiing at Delhi airport. Fortunately, no one was hurt, and all passengers and crew remained safe. In January, an Air Busan plane caught fire at Gimhae International Airport in South Korea, with the investigation suggesting that the fire might have started due to a power bank, specifically a failure in the insulation within the battery.
