The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued an immediate ban on the Mobikins MK-PB-04 power bank across all domestic and international flights operating to, from, and within India. The restriction applies to passenger baggage as well as cargo shipments, with airlines instructed to strictly prevent this specific model from being brought on board.
This emergency ban comes after a fire incident on IndiGo flight 6E 6115 flying from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026. Smoke was detected coming from a passenger’s electronic device inside an overhead bin, prompting the flight crew to intervene and pilots to divert the plane to Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as a safety precaution. The aircraft landed safely with zero injuries reported, and IndiGo arranged an alternative flight to carry passengers to Chennai.
Understanding the Danger: Thermal Runaway
The mid-air smoke incident highlighted the severe safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries commonly found in smartphones, power banks, and portable gadgets. When a lithium-ion battery gets damaged, becomes defective, over charges or overheats, it can enter a state called thermal runaway. During thermal runaway, rapidly rising temperatures trigger internal heat-generating chemical reactions, which can quickly result in heavy smoke, fire, or violent battery rupture.
Existing DGCA Rules for Power Banks on Flights
While the new restriction specifically targets the Mobikins MK-PB-04 model, existing DGCA safety regulations for all other power banks remain strictly in force:
- Cabin Baggage Only: All power banks and spare lithium-ion batteries must be carried exclusively in hand luggage and are strictly forbidden in checked-in baggage.
- No In-Flight Charging: Passengers are barred from using power banks to charge phones or gadgets during flights, including via seat power outlets.
- Accessible Storage: Power banks must be stored in easily accessible spots near the passenger and should not be stowed away in overhead bins (which is where the Mobikins device overheated).
- Capacity & Condition Checks: Passengers must adhere to airline battery capacity limits and avoid carrying swollen, damaged, or defective power banks.
- Emergency Protocol: If a power bank gets unusually hot, smells strange, or emits smoke mid-flight, passengers must notify the cabin crew immediately.
My Thoughts
“The DGCA acting swiftly to ban the Mobikins MK-PB-04 power bank after the IndiGo inflight smoke incident is a crucial step for air passenger safety in India. With millions of Indians flying daily carrying multiple power banks and devices, thermal runaway in a tight, pressurized cabin is a serious risk. Sticking to standard safety rules—like keeping power banks within easy reach in cabin luggage instead of stuffing them into overhead bins—is something every traveller needs to take seriously.
On the flip side, its high time we see regulation in power banks, there are way too many cheap products that have no basic safety in their Battery Management Systems. A power bank exploding ANYWHERE is a problem nobody wants.”
— Avin Richards
