The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has banned the Mobikins MK-PB-04 power bank on all flights to, from and within India following a fire incident aboard an IndiGo Flight.
Why Has the DGCA Banned Mobikins Power Bank in India?
The restriction on the Mobikins MK-PB-04 power bank applies to both passenger baggage and cargo, with airlines directed to prevent the specified model from being carried on aircraft. It follows a fire incident involving a power bank aboard IndiGo flight 6E 6115, which was operating from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026.
Smoke was detected coming from a passenger's personal electronic device in an overhead bin, prompting the cabin crew to respond and the pilots to divert the aircraft as a precaution.
The aircraft landed safely at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, with no injuries reported. IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft to transport passengers to Chennai after the incident.
The fire raised concerns about the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries aboard aircraft. These batteries are commonly found in power banks, smartphones and other portable electronics.
If a battery is damaged, defective or overheats, it can undergo a process called thermal runaway, in which rising temperatures trigger further heat-generating reactions that may result in smoke, fire or rupture.
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What Are the Existing Rules for Carrying Power Banks on Flights?
The DGCA had already introduced restrictions on carrying and using power banks aboard aircraft. Under existing guidance, power banks and spare lithium batteries must be carried in cabin baggage rather than checked-in baggage. Passengers must also follow applicable battery-capacity limits and airline-specific requirements.
Power banks must remain within passengers' reach and should not be stored in overhead compartments (this is important because the Mobikins power bank was stored in the overhead bin).
The DGCA has also prohibited passengers from using power banks to charge electronic devices during flights, including through aircraft seat power outlets.
Passengers should therefore keep permitted power banks in an accessible location, check their airline's latest baggage rules and avoid carrying damaged or swollen batteries.
If a power bank becomes unusually hot, emits smoke or produces an unusual smell during a flight, passengers should immediately alert the cabin crew and follow their instructions.
The latest restriction adds another safety measure for air travel in India, but it is limited to the Mobikins MK-PB-04 model. Travellers carrying other power banks should continue to comply with the DGCA's existing battery and baggage regulations.
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