New Delhi, January 4 (IANS). The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Sunday said passengers cannot use power banks to charge mobile phones or any other electronic devices during flights.
DGCA clearly said that there is a risk of fire from the lithium batteries installed in the power bank, hence this decision has been taken keeping in mind the safety of the passengers.
In a statement, the aviation regulator said that under no circumstances can power banks be used to charge gadgets during flight, even through the power socket installed in the aircraft seat.
This decision has been taken after accidents in many countries of the world, in which lithium batteries overheated or caught fire during charging in planes. Such cases have increased concerns about the safety of air travel.
DGCA had earlier issued a dangerous goods alert in November, stating that power banks and spare lithium batteries can be carried in hand baggage only. These are not allowed to be kept in overhead cabins, because if a fire occurs there, it is difficult to identify and extinguish it quickly.
According to DGCA, nowadays lithium batteries are being used more in rechargeable devices. For this reason, the number of power banks and extra batteries with passengers during air travel has also increased. DGCA warned that these batteries can cause fire and pose a serious threat to flight safety.
The regulatory body said that if lithium batteries are hidden in overhead storage or carry-on bags, early signs of smoke or fire may not be visible. This makes it difficult to take immediate action in an emergency and can increase the risk.
DGCA has directed all airlines to re-examine the safety risks associated with lithium batteries carried by passengers and implement strict safety rules to prevent battery-related fire incidents.
Along with this, DGCA has also emphasized on providing better training to the cabin crew, so that they can quickly identify signs of fire or smoke and take appropriate action. Airlines have also been asked to ensure that adequate fire extinguishing equipment and safety equipment are available on board the aircraft.
DGCA has also directed the airlines to clearly inform the passengers about the new rules through announcements and other means, so that all passengers follow these rules.
DGCA said that all these steps are necessary to strengthen the safety of passengers and reduce the hazards posed by lithium batteries during air travel.
–IANS
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