Power Banks Can No More Be Used On Flights. Check New Aviation Safety Rules
New rules for aviation safety have been enacted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, India’s aviation safety regulatory institute. New regulations introduced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation prohibit all passengers from charging their phones, laptops, or any other electronic device from a power bank during any portion of the flight, including at individual passenger seat outlet locations. The new regulations were enacted to prevent an increase in the amount of reporting of incidents of lithium batteries catching fire and overheating around the world in recent months.
Where You Can Carry Power Banks
According to DGCA’s safety regulations, power banks and spare lithium battery packs must stay with the passenger when travelling as carry-on luggage. Due to difficulty in detecting fires that begin within the overhead compartments by the flight crew and then attempting to extinguish them prior to the spread of the fire, it is recommended that these items remain within the passenger’s vicinity, as it increases the likelihood of quickly identifying an increase in heat, smoke or odour. This will help reduce the possibility of creating a major event.
Why Are Lithium Batteries a Safety Risk?
Lithium-based batteries have the capacity to hold a large amount of energy in a small amount of physical space. If a lithium-based battery has become compromised due to damage, abuse (e.g., manufacturing defects), age or being overcharged, then it can rapidly heat up and ignite. Furthermore, lithium-based batteries can sustain an “ignition” and can behave differently than conventional fire. In addition, when lithium battery ignitions occur, they may produce explosions and cause significant injury or death to passengers and/or threaten aircraft safety.
Airlines Asked to Strengthen Safety Measures
The DGCA directed airline companies to conduct a thorough review of their existing processes around the safety of lithium batteries being placed on aeroplanes by passengers. Airline companies must increase their level of precaution against instances of battery-related fires occurring in the aircraft cabin. Airline companies should also place additional emphasis on cabin crew training regarding the detection of early warning signs (i.e., heating, smoke, and/or flames) as well as the safe and proper use of the firefighting equipment and how to protect oneself from inhaling smoke during an incident.
Passenger Awareness and Onboard Announcements
One aspect of the new regulations that will affect aviation operations is the increase in passenger awareness of lithium battery hazards. The new regulations require airlines to make an in-flight announcement before an aircraft’s departure that will describe the potential dangers associated with using lithium batteries, as well as explain what steps the passenger should take if they notice any warning signs from their devices during flight. Passengers must be aware of their responsibility to immediately report any abnormal behaviours of their devices, such as overheating or producing smoke or unpleasant smells, to the cabin crew. Airlines must also inform the DGCA of all such incidents.
Airports to Display Safety Warnings
Housing companies have asked to aid this outreach by posting these types of flyers and videos in the airport terminals, interview counter, gate checkpoint, and boarding gate. The purpose of the posting is to help educate passengers on how to properly handle their power bank and to prevent them from attempting to charge their power bank just prior to boarding.
Conclusion
The new DGCA regulations signal a serious safety concern related to the increased utilisation of electronic equipment by each airline during flight. The DGCA restrictions are expected to cause only minor inconveniences; however, they are also intended to help prevent serious safety incidents and save lives. Due to the increased awareness of safety issues related to electronic equipment, the training provided to crew, and greater responsibility taken by passengers, these regulations will allow for increased safety in aviation operations.
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