Big news for air travellers: DGCA issues strict advisory, bans certain in-flight activities
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): There is a very important news for the passengers traveling by plane. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has taken a strict decision keeping in mind the safety of the passengers in the aircraft. Now there is a complete ban on charging the power bank inside the flight or connecting it to the power system of the seat. This decision has been taken in view of the increasing incidents of fire in lithium batteries in recent times. According to the new rules, passengers can keep the power bank in their hand bag, but using or charging it during the journey is strictly prohibited.
DGCA alert on fire risk
DGCA has issued a detailed advisory in this regard. It states that lithium batteries can be a major cause of fire. Passengers often keep their luggage in the overhead bin, and if the power bank kept there catches fire, it becomes difficult for the crew or passengers to reach there immediately and extinguish the fire. To reduce this risk, charging power banks in flights has been banned. In this new advisory, which came into effect from December, airlines have been instructed to conduct a 'safety risk assessment' for carrying lithium batteries and to make passengers aware through onboard announcements.
Why are lithium batteries so dangerous?
According to technical experts, lithium batteries pose a greater risk of fire than conventional batteries. Poor quality, overcharging, or a short circuit can cause the battery to suffer from thermal runaway, which can lead to a catastrophic fire. This fire is so energetic that it's difficult to extinguish easily and can sometimes cause the device to explode. In a closed airplane cabin, this situation could prove fatal.
International airlines have already imposed a ban
India isn't alone in taking this safety measure. Several major airlines, including Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Qatar Airways, have already banned the use of power banks on flights. Passengers on these airlines are permitted to carry power banks with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours, but charging them is strictly prohibited.