The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prohibited the carriage of MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power banks on all flights to, from and within India following a recent fire incident involving the device.

This comes after a power bank on an IndiGo flight from Chandigarh to Chennai exploded inside the overhead bin on October 11, forcing the flight to divert to Hyderabad, where emergency evacuation was carried out.

In an airworthiness information circular (AIC) dated September 29, 2026, the aviation regulator directed airlines and passengers to ensure that the specified power bank is not carried on board aircraft, either as passenger baggage or as cargo. The prohibition covers both checked-in and cabin baggage.

The circular, issued for information, guidance and compliance, cites potential safety risks associated with the power bank following the fire incident. It applies to all flights operating to, from or within India.

The DGCA has also advised airlines to take appropriate measures to identify and prevent the carriage of the specified power bank. Airlines have been asked to communicate the safety advisory to passengers through suitable channels.

The directive is specific to the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 model and does not, in itself, announce a blanket ban on all power banks.

The advisory was signed by Director General of Civil Aviation Vir Vikram Yadav.

Critics also questioned the rationale behind singling out one relatively obscure brand of power bank, arguing that the order’s limited scope undermined its utility.

They also asked how will the implementation of the order be ensured