New DGCA Power Bank Rules for Flights in India 2025

DGCA is reviewing global airline policies after recent lithium-battery incidents; India may tighten rules on carrying, storing and using power banks in cabin baggage — practical guidance for travel agents, consolidators and corporate travel teams.

Why this matters to travel businesses

India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has launched a review of power-bank safety after a string of battery-related onboard incidents. For B2B travel sellers and corporate travel managers this could mean new passenger screening steps, stricter carry-on rules and changed airline handling procedures — all of which can affect booking workflows, check-in communications and client advisories. 

What triggered the review

Several recent events focused regulator attention: a power bank fire on an IndiGo aircraft while taxiing at Delhi, smoke reported on another domestic IndiGo flight, and high-profile overseas incidents (including investigations linking battery packs to in-flight fires). These episodes have prompted airlines and regulators globally to revisit lithium-battery policies. 

What other carriers are already doing

A number of major carriers have tightened rules this year:

• Emirates: Banned use/charging of power banks in flight from 1 Oct 2025; passengers may still carry a single unit below 100 Wh in the cabin but it must remain switched off and stowed where crew can access it.

• Singapore Airlines (SIA) group: Prohibits charging power banks via onboard USB and bans using them to charge devices during flight (effective early 2025).
  
  

These moves illustrate the direction DGCA’s advisory is likely to take: limit usage, prescribe stowage locations and tighten capacity labelling and quantity limits.

Likely elements of India’s new guidance

Based on global precedents and media reporting, expect some combination of the following:

• Limit on the number of power banks per passenger (common caps are one or two).

• Mandatory visible capacity labels (Wh/mAh) and proof of certification for units above certain thresholds.

• Explicit ban on charging or using power banks in flight.

• Strict “cabin baggage only” enforcement and rules about where to stow them (under seat/seat pocket, not overhead bins).
  
  

Practical steps travel agents and consolidators should take now

• Update client advisories: Add a short power-bank checklist to ticketing emails, pre-travel texts and WhatsApp messages: carry only in hand luggage, show capacity label, don’t pack in checked baggage, and avoid damaged or uncertified units.

• Train booking and check-in teams: Make sure frontline staff can explain current rules, spot non-compliant power banks, and advise passengers on alternatives (e.g., airline portable chargers where allowed).

• Coordinate with airlines: If you manage corporate travel or consolidation, request airline policy summaries for your clients and confirm how non-compliance at gate will be handled (re-check, confiscation, denied boarding).

• Review fare/product pages: Add a clear “power bank policy” tile on sales portals and GDS descriptions for routes where airlines have updated rules. This reduces gate conflicts and saves time.

• Advise frequent flyers and groups: For group travel, include a pre-departure line item reminding passengers of the limit and labelling requirements; suggest power-bank alternatives for long sectors.
  
  

Risk management and corporate travel policy updates

Corporate travel teams should update duty-of-care documents and emergency contact protocols to reflect battery-related incidents. Review travel insurance clauses and ensure travellers know what to do if a device overheats inflight (crew instructions, evacuation procedures). Use your client-facing comms to reassure travellers about safety measures and how you’ll support them if a device is refused at gate.

Image suggestions & SEO alt text

• Hero image alt text: “Passengers storing power bank under seat — DGCA power bank rules India 2025”.

• Secondary image alt text: “Cabin smoke after power bank incident — airline safety and lithium battery risk”.

Conclusion — takeaway for travel professionals

DGCA’s forthcoming advisory is likely to tighten cabin rules around power banks, following global airline moves and recent incidents. Proactively updating client communications, training front-line staff, and coordinating with airline partners will protect your operations and reduce last-minute disruptions. Treat this as an opportunity: clear, proactive advice builds trust with corporate clients and travel agents alike.

Want more travel updates like this? Follow our updates at blog.agentbazar.in and transform how you support your clients at every stage of travel.