What are the rules for carrying power banks on flights? Incident involving a power bank catching fire on an IndiGo flight

An IndiGo flight had to be diverted to Hyderabad after a power bank caught fire on board. Following this incident, it is important for passengers to be aware of the rules regarding the carriage and use of power banks.

If you carry a power bank while traveling by air, it is crucial to understand the regulations governing its use. On October 11 (today), an incident occurred on an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai where a passenger's power bank caught fire, necessitating the flight's diversion to Hyderabad. This has raised questions among many travelers: is it unsafe to carry power banks on flights?

Power banks utilize lithium batteries, which can catch fire if damaged or overheated. In light of this risk, specific regulations have been established for carrying and using power banks on aircraft. Let us look at the rules for carrying power banks on flights.

What are the rules for carrying power banks on flights?

While carrying power banks on flights is generally permitted, strict adherence to airline and aviation safety regulations is essential. You should carry the power bank in your hand baggage (the bag you take into the cabin with you) rather than placing it in your check-in luggage. Additionally, it is important to check the power bank's capacity, measured in Watt-hours (Wh).

Generally, power banks with a capacity of up to 100 Wh are permitted, whereas those with a capacity between 100 Wh and 160 Wh may require airline approval. Instead of stowing the power bank in the overhead bin, keep it in a location where it can be easily monitored and quickly retrieved if necessary.

What happened on the IndiGo flight?

On October 11, IndiGo flight 6E6115, en route from Delhi to Chennai, was diverted to Hyderabad following an incident where a power bank caught fire. Smoke was reportedly seen emanating from a power bank kept in a passenger's bag, prompting the cabin crew to bring the situation under control using a fire extinguisher. Following the incident, the aircraft landed in Hyderabad, and arrangements were made for an alternative flight to transport the passengers to Chennai.