IndiGo Power Bank Fire: What Happened and the New Flight Rules
IndiGo power bank fire explained: how flight 6E 6115 was diverted to Hyderabad, plus the DGCA power bank rules, mAh limits and safety tips for flyers.
Jay Chotaliya
Author & Contributor
The IndiGo power bank fire on Sunday, October 11, 2026, started when a power bank in a bag in an overhead bin caught fire on flight 6E 6115 from Delhi to Chennai. Passengers and cabin crew put out the flames, the pilots diverted to Hyderabad, and the plane landed safely. The scare has put India's strict power bank rules for flights back in the spotlight, and many travellers still don't know them.
Key Takeaways
- IndiGo flight 6E 6115 (Delhi to Chennai) diverted to Hyderabad on October 11, 2026, after a power bank fire in an overhead bin.
- The fire was put out on board and no injuries were reported.
- Since January 2026, India's DGCA has banned using power banks to charge devices at any point during a flight.
- Power banks must travel in hand baggage only, kept with you, never in overhead bins or checked bags.
- This is at least the third IndiGo power bank scare in about a year, after incidents in Delhi (October 2025) and Chandigarh (2026).
What Happened on IndiGo Flight 6E 6115?
According to The Week, an electronic device malfunctioned and caught fire on IndiGo flight 6E 6115 from Delhi to Chennai on October 11, 2026. Reports say it was a power bank inside a bag stored in the overhead cabin bin.
Videos shared online showed passengers rushing to smother the flames with clothing and backpacks. Some reports say cabin crew used an onboard fire extinguisher. Gulf News reported that the fire was put out, the aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew were reported safe.
IndiGo said in a statement that "the cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control." It added that "in line with established protocols, the pilots diverted the flight and landed safely" at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad. The airline arranged another aircraft so passengers could continue to Chennai. (Source: The Week)
Why Did the Power Bank Catch Fire?
The exact cause has not been made public, and investigators have not released findings. What is clear is the general risk. Power banks use lithium-ion cells, which store a lot of energy in a small space. If a cell is damaged, badly made, overcharged or short-circuited, it can overheat quickly. That process, often called "thermal runaway," can lead to smoke, flames and even small explosions.
The location made this incident more worrying. The Week reported that IndiGo's own baggage policy says power banks must stay within the passenger's reach, such as under the seat or in the seat pocket, and must not be kept in overhead bins. That rule appears not to have been followed here.
India's aviation regulator has explained why the overhead bin matters. In its safety advisory, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said batteries stored in overhead bins or inside carry-on bags can be out of sight, so passengers and crew may miss early signs of smoke or fire. That delay can make a fire harder to control.
IndiGo Power Bank Fire Incidents: A Timeline
The October 11 diversion is not a one-off. Here are the power bank incidents on IndiGo aircraft that have been widely reported over the past year.
| Date | Flight / place | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 19, 2025 | Delhi to Dimapur, at Delhi airport | A passenger's power bank caught fire while the plane was taxiing. Crew put it out. The aviation minister said the DGCA would look into it. (Tribune / PTI) |
| Nov 2025 | DGCA advisory | Power banks and spare lithium batteries allowed only in hand baggage, not in overhead bins. |
| Jan 4, 2026 | DGCA rule | Using power banks to charge devices during flights banned, including via seat power. (IANS) |
| Early May 2026 | IndiGo flight at Chandigarh | A power bank reportedly caught fire after landing. Smoke filled the cabin and six passengers had minor injuries during evacuation. (Business Today) |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 6E 6115, Delhi to Chennai | Power bank fire in an overhead bin. Flight diverted to Hyderabad and landed safely. (The Week) |
DGCA Power Bank Rules on Flights in India
If you fly in India, these are the rules you need to know, based on the DGCA's advisories as reported by IANS and Business Today.
- No charging during the flight: you cannot use a power bank to charge your phone, earbuds or any other device at any point during the flight. This applies even if your seat has a power socket.
- No charging the power bank itself: you also cannot plug a power bank into the aircraft's in-seat power to top it up.
- Hand baggage only: power banks and spare lithium batteries must be in your cabin bag, not your checked suitcase.
- Not in the overhead bin: keep them with you, under the seat in front or in the seat pocket.
- Airlines must enforce it: the DGCA told airlines to review their battery risk assessments, train cabin crew to spot fires early, carry proper firefighting equipment, and tell passengers about the rules through in-flight announcements.
(Source: IANS)
Power Bank Size Limits: How Many mAh Can You Carry?
Airlines measure battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh), not milliamp-hours (mAh). The commonly applied limits, as summarised by Gulf News, are:
| Capacity | Can you carry it? |
|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Allowed in hand baggage |
| 100 to 160 Wh | Only with airline approval |
| Above 160 Wh | Generally not allowed |
To convert, use this simple formula: Wh = (mAh × voltage) ÷ 1,000. Most power banks use cells rated at 3.7 volts. So a 20,000 mAh power bank works out to about 74 Wh, which is under the 100 Wh limit. A 27,000 mAh unit is roughly 100 Wh, so check the label carefully. Many power banks print the Wh rating directly on the case. Individual airlines can also limit how many power banks you carry, so check your airline's baggage page before you fly.
How Do Other Countries and Airlines Handle Power Banks?
India is part of a global tightening of rules. Business Today reported that the UN's aviation body, ICAO, advised in March 2026 that portable chargers should stay within passengers' reach and should not be charged on board. The US FAA bars power banks from checked luggage and allows them only in cabin bags.
Several airlines have gone further. Gulf News has reported that Emirates and flydubai restricted power banks, and that Singapore Airlines and its budget arm Scoot banned using them on flights. Business Today also reported that United Airlines does not allow them in overhead bins, and that airlines in Japan and South Korea have reportedly banned in-flight use.
There is some debate over how far rules should go. Business Today quoted a person familiar with the matter in May 2026 saying "no decision has been taken yet on prohibiting passengers from carrying power banks." Supporters of a full ban say the fire risk is too serious. Others argue that a ban would hurt millions of travellers who depend on their phones for boarding passes and payments, and that strict storage and usage rules already address most of the risk.
What Should Passengers Do if a Power Bank Overheats?
Most power banks never cause a problem. But if yours gets unusually hot, swells, smells of burning or starts smoking, follow these steps:
- Tell the cabin crew immediately. They are trained for battery fires and carry the right equipment.
- Don't try to move or open a burning device yourself unless the crew asks you to.
- Don't pour random liquids on it or pile bags around it. Follow crew instructions.
- Before you fly: carry only branded power banks with a clear Wh rating, and don't take one that is swollen, dented or has been dropped hard.
- Keep it with you, switched off and out of the overhead bin, for the whole journey.
FAQ
What happened on the IndiGo Delhi-Chennai flight?
On October 11, 2026, a power bank caught fire in an overhead bin on IndiGo flight 6E 6115. The fire was put out and the plane diverted safely to Hyderabad.
Was anyone injured in the IndiGo power bank fire?
No injuries were reported. Gulf News said all passengers and crew were reported safe.
Can I use a power bank on a flight in India?
You can carry one in hand baggage, but since January 2026 the DGCA has banned using it to charge any device during the flight.
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No. Power banks and spare lithium batteries must go in hand baggage only.
Can I keep my power bank in the overhead bin?
No. Indian rules and IndiGo's policy say to keep it with you, under the seat or in the seat pocket.
Is a 20,000 mAh power bank allowed on flights?
Usually yes. At 3.7 volts it is about 74 Wh, below the 100 Wh limit. Always check the label and your airline's rules.
Conclusion
The IndiGo power bank fire ended safely thanks to quick action by passengers and crew, but it is a clear reminder that India's power bank rules exist for a reason. Keep the device in your hand baggage, keep it with you, and don't use it in the air.
For more easy explainers on the news that affects your daily life, read more on PostNest. Have a travel story or tip to share? Write a guest post on PostNest.
