Indigo power bank fire case: 10 tips to keep your power bank safe on flights
Last Updated: 2026-05-06 12:54:16
Apower bank fire on an IndiGo flight triggered a full emergency evacuation at Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport on May 5, 2026. Flight 6E 108, operating the Hyderabad-Chandigarh route, had just landed and was moving toward the parking bay when a passenger noticed flames coming from his power bank. The device was stored in the seat pocket in front of him. Cabin crew responded immediately, deploying fire extinguishers to bring the fire under control, but smoke had already spread through the cabin. All emergency exits were opened and the 198 passengers, two infants, and six crew members were evacuated via inflatable slides. One passenger suffered a minor ankle injury during the evacuation. No other injuries were reported.
The incident is the latest in a series of lithium battery-related emergencies on Indian flights. India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, had already moved to address the risk by issuing a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular in November 2025. The circular bans the use of power banks for charging devices during flights and restricts their carriage to hand baggage only. Power banks cannot be placed in overhead bins or packed in checked luggage under any circumstances.
Latest and Popular Mobiles
Here are 10 tips to keep your power bank safe on flights.
Always carry power banks in cabin baggage and never in checked luggage Avoid carrying damaged or swollen power banks on board Use only certified power banks and branded charging accessories Do not pack power banks in tightly compressed or overstuffed bags Do not use a power bank to charge devices during the flight Check your airline's battery capacity limit before travelling — most carriers cap it at 100 watt-hours per unit Keep power banks away from metal objects such as coins or keys to prevent short circuits Do not place power banks in overhead bins — keep them within your line of sight at all times Disconnect all cables and USB connections from the power bank when it is not in use Inform cabin crew immediately if any device feels warm, emits smoke, or produces an unusual odour
