Technology

Power Bank Banned on Flights in India: How to Check Yours Before You Fly

India's aviation regulator has banned one power bank model from all flights. Here is how to check yours and carry it safely.

You may have a power bank in your bag right now, ready for the next flight. India’s aviation regulator, the DGCA, has now banned one particular model, the Mobikins MK-PB-04, from every flight to, from and within India. The order came after a power bank caught fire on a flight, and it is a good moment to check what you carry.

What Has Been Banned?

The DGCA has said the Mobikins MK-PB-04 power bank must not be carried on board an aircraft at all. The ban covers cabin baggage, checked baggage and cargo. Passengers are told not to bring it, and airlines have been asked to check for it and to warn travellers.

This is a ban on one model, not on power banks in general. Other power banks are still allowed, as long as they follow the safety rules of the airline and the regulator.

Why Did This Happen?

A power bank caught fire in the overhead locker of an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai, which carried about 180 passengers and seven crew. The plane was diverted to Hyderabad and landed safely, and the crew brought the fire under control. Details about the exact maker and model involved in that incident have not been clearly confirmed in public, so it is best not to assume the cause until the official findings come out.

What we do know is why power banks are a worry in the air. They hold a lot of energy in a small case. If the battery is damaged, cheap, overheated or faulty, it can burn very hot very quickly, and a fire inside a closed cabin is serious.

Why This Matters to You

Most of us carry a power bank without a second thought. But a model that is banned can be taken away at the airport, and a faulty one can put everyone around you at risk. A power bank bought from an unknown seller, with no proper label, is the kind of product that worries safety officers most.

How to Check Your Power Bank Before You Fly

Read the model name. Look at the back or the side of the power bank. If it says Mobikins MK-PB-04, do not carry it on any flight.
Find the watt-hour (Wh) number. Many airlines allow power banks up to about 100Wh in the cabin. If only mAh is printed, multiply mAh by the voltage (usually 3.7V) and divide by 1,000. A 20,000mAh power bank is roughly 74Wh. Rules differ by airline, so check yours.
Look at its condition. A power bank that is swollen, cracked, very hot or smells odd should not travel with you.
Check the markings. A genuine product shows the brand, the model, the capacity and the safety certification marks. A plain unmarked unit is a red flag.

What You Can Do Right Now

Carry the power bank in your cabin bag, never in checked luggage.
Keep it where you can reach it and see it, such as in the seat pocket or a bag under the seat in front, rather than in the overhead locker.
Charge your phone and the power bank fully at the airport or at home, and avoid charging the power bank from the aircraft socket.
Do not use the power bank to charge your devices during the flight.
If it becomes hot, smokes or swells, tell the cabin crew straight away. Do not try to handle it yourself.

What If You Own the Banned Model?

Leave it at home when you travel by air. If you bought it from an online shop and are worried, you can ask the seller about a refund or replacement and keep the bill. You can also complain on the National Consumer Helpline, 1915, if the seller refuses to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is every power bank banned on flights in India?

No. The ban is only on the Mobikins MK-PB-04 model. Other power banks can still be carried in your cabin baggage if they meet the airline’s safety limits.

Can I put my power bank in checked luggage?

No. Power banks should travel in your cabin bag, where the crew can reach them quickly if there is a problem. The banned model is not allowed in checked baggage either.

Can I charge my phone from a power bank during the flight?

It is safest not to. Airlines advise against using or charging power banks in flight. Charge your devices before you board.

How do I know how many watt-hours my power bank has?

Look for a Wh figure printed on it. If you only see mAh, multiply it by the voltage, usually 3.7, and divide by 1,000. Your airline will tell you its limit.