DGCA Rules: You will no longer be able to charge your mobile phone on flights; DGCA has tightened the rules..

Rules regarding power banks for air travelers have been tightened. Charging mobile phones or other electronic devices with power banks is now prohibited inside the aircraft. Furthermore, charging power banks using the power outlets in the seats is also not allowed. Power banks and spare batteries are only permitted in hand luggage. They are also prohibited from being placed in the overhead bins.

According to TOI, this decision stems from incidents of lithium batteries catching fire during flights. This was considered after a recent fire incident on an IndiGo flight. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular to mitigate the risks posed by lithium battery-powered devices carried by passengers and crew.

Why is this necessary?
The DGCA has instructed airlines to announce these new rules during flights. According to the rules, if any device emits heat, smoke, or a strange odor, or if the battery catches fire, the passenger must immediately inform the cabin crew. Airlines must immediately report every safety incident related to lithium batteries to the DGCA. Aviation experts have warned that it is now crucial to strictly enforce the "one passenger, one hand luggage" rule. Often, when the overhead bins are full, airlines take passengers' hand luggage at the gate and place it in the aircraft's baggage hold.

Last year, Emirates Airlines banned the use of power banks on all its flights. Now, passengers are only allowed to carry power banks with a rating of less than 100 watt-hours, and they are strictly prohibited from using them to charge or power mobile devices during the flight. Singapore Airlines also implemented a policy last April prohibiting the use or charging of power banks during flights.

What do the experts say? Aviation experts have urged airlines to strictly enforce the one-hand-bag-per-passenger rule due to safety concerns. They say this is crucial because batteries and power banks are not permitted in checked baggage. However, when overhead bins are full, airlines often collect passengers' hand luggage at the boarding gate or aerobridge and place it in the aircraft's cargo hold. These handbags may contain portable electronic devices and power banks, which could pose a safety risk when stored in the aircraft's cargo compartment.

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