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New Delhi: In a major update for air passengers, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a new guideline on Sunday, banning the use of power banks for charging phones or other gadgets during flights.
The latest guidelines have been issued following reports of lithium batteries overheating or catching fire across the globe. Earlier in November, the DGCA had issued a ‘Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular’ , in which it had said that power banks and other gadgets can only be carried in handbags and could not be carried in overhead compartments.
"The widespread usage of lithium batteries in various rechargeable devices has led to an increase in carriage of lithium batteries by air. Power banks, portable chargers, and similar devices containing lithium batteries can act as ignition sources and potentially initiate on-board fires," the circular said.
It added, “Lithium batteries placed in overhead stowage bins or within carry-on baggage may be obscured, difficult to access, or not readily monitored by passengers or crew members. This may result in delayed detection of smoke or fire and response actions, increasing the potential hazard to flight safety."
In its message to airlines, the DGCA asked them to review existing safety risk assessments regarding lithium batteries, which are carried by passengers during their journey. Airlines have been asked to take strong measures to battery related fire incidents.
The regulator also called for the need to train all crew members better so that the crew can recognise fires early and take appropriate steps. Apart from these, airlines have also been asked to keep firefighting equipment as well as protective gear on board. They have also been asked to inform the passengers about new rules.
