New Delhi: 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 recent mid-air fire incident involving the device on an IndiGo flight.

The restriction covers passenger baggage, including cabin and checked-in luggage, as well as cargo. The aviation regulator has directed airlines to identify the specified model and prevent it from being carried on aircraft.

In a circular dated September 29, the DGCA cited potential safety risks associated with the power bank and advised airlines to inform passengers about the restriction through appropriate communication channels.

The order applies specifically to the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 model and does not constitute a blanket ban on all power banks.

IndiGo flight diverted after power bank catches fire

The restriction comes amid renewed concerns over the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries aboard aircraft.

On October 11, an IndiGo flight travelling from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad after a passenger's power bank caught fire in an overhead baggage compartment.

The aircraft landed safely at Hyderabad at around 3.15 pm. There were no reported injuries, but the aircraft was grounded for safety checks.

IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft for the passengers, who subsequently departed for Chennai at around 5.45 pm and arrived at approximately 7.20 pm.

The incident highlighted the potential hazards associated with power banks carried on board aircraft, particularly when their batteries overheat or develop internal faults.
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Nepal Airlines also restricts MOBIKINS power bank

Nepal Airlines has separately prohibited passengers travelling between Nepal and India from carrying the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power bank.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nepal Airlines said passengers travelling between Nepal and India could not carry the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power bank in cabin baggage, checked-in baggage or cargo on flights operating to or from India.

The move follows the IndiGo fire incident and the DGCA's safety restriction on the specified model.
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Calls for stricter BIS certification checks

The incident has also renewed calls for stricter enforcement of the Bureau of Indian Standards' (BIS) Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS) for portable batteries.

In a post on X, Bangalore Aviation (@BLRAviation) said the MOBIKINS power bank did not appear in the BIS registration database and called for tighter checks to ensure that portable batteries sold in India meet mandatory certification requirements.

The post urged consumers to verify the BIS registration number, typically displayed in the format “R-xxxx”, through the official CRS portal before purchasing portable batteries. It also called on authorities and online marketplaces to ensure that only certified products are listed and sold.

These calls for broader certification checks are separate from the DGCA's model-specific restriction.

Power banks generally use lithium-ion batteries, which can pose fire risks if damaged, overheated or affected by internal short circuits. Passengers should check the model number of their devices and follow airline safety instructions before travelling.