Chennai-bound IndiGo flight diverted after passenger’s power bank catches fire | What rules say

IndiGo flight 6E 6115 was flying from Delhi to Chennai when a passenger’s power bank caught fire inside the aircraft. Cabin crew brought the fire under control, but the pilots diverted the flight to Hyderabad as a precaution. The incident mattered because lithium-battery fires can intensify quickly and may be difficult to extinguish.

The aircraft carried 191 people. It landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 3.15pm, according to the article. The crew used firefighting equipment to deal with the onboard fire while the pilots changed the flight’s destination.

After landing, the aircraft was grounded for checks and maintenance. It will return to service only after an inspection determines whether the incident caused any impact or damage. The event has renewed attention on safe power-bank storage, early reporting and restrictions on using or recharging these devices during flights.

Thermal runaway is a chain reaction in which a lithium-ion battery generates heat faster than it can release it. As the temperature rises, the battery can become increasingly unstable. This matters on aircraft because a battery fire may produce intense heat, smoke and flames in a confined cabin.

The article identifies several triggers: damage, overheating, overcharging, crushing, ageing, mishandling and internal short circuits. A manufacturing defect can also create a short circuit inside the battery. The resulting heat can cause the battery to swell, vent, catch fire or explode. Fire may spread to nearby materials or devices.

Cabin crew must act quickly because a battery hidden in baggage may be hard to access or monitor. The DGCA advisory calls for accessible firefighting equipment and fire-containment kits. Passengers should immediately report unusual heat, smoke or odour so crew can intervene before the problem grows.

Flight 6E 6115 carried 191 people on its scheduled journey from Delhi to Chennai. A passenger’s power bank caught fire during the flight, prompting the pilots to divert to Hyderabad. The safe landing showed that the crew and pilots managed the immediate emergency without reported injuries in this incident.

The aircraft landed at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport around 3.15pm. Before landing, cabin crew doused the fire and brought the situation under control. The pilots nevertheless treated the battery fire as a serious risk and chose a precautionary diversion rather than continuing to Chennai.

After landing, IndiGo grounded the aircraft for checks and maintenance. It will return to service only after an inspection assesses whether the fire caused any impact or damage. This step reflects the need to examine the aircraft even when a dangerous battery event appears contained and the landing is safe.

When a lithium-battery fire starts inside an aircraft, it can generate intense heat, smoke and flames. The device may explode, and the fire can be difficult to extinguish. A cabin fire is especially serious because passengers, crew and nearby baggage are in a confined space with limited access to the affected device.

The article explains that batteries stored in overhead bins or inside carry-on baggage may be difficult to monitor. Smoke or heat can go unnoticed, delaying the crew’s response. Cabin crew are trained to recognise overheating, smoke and flames and use appropriate firefighting equipment. In the reported incident, crew doused the power-bank fire before the pilots diverted.

The DGCA advisory asks airlines to keep firefighting equipment and fire-containment kits accessible and serviceable. It also calls for protective gear, stronger procedures and emergency training. Passengers play a crucial role by reporting unusual heat, smoke or odour immediately.

Passengers may carry power banks in the cabin, but not in checked-in baggage. Under the DGCA advisory, devices below 100 watt-hours can be carried without specific airline approval. Power banks rated from 100Wh to 160Wh require airline approval. They must remain within the passenger’s reach, such as under the seat, in a seat pocket or on the person.

They must not be placed in overhead bins. IndiGo gives similar instructions for power banks and spare lithium batteries. Air India also bans overhead-bin placement and requires spare batteries to be packed individually to prevent short circuits. Passengers should protect battery terminals and avoid damaged batteries.

The DGCA advisory prohibits using power banks during flights, including charging personal devices through aircraft USB ports. ICAO rules effective March 27, 2026, limit passengers to two power banks and prohibit recharging them in flight. Passengers must report heat, smoke or unusual odours immediately.

Power-bank fires have caused problems on other flights. In May 2026, more than 200 people were evacuated from an IndiGo aircraft at Chandigarh airport after a passenger’s power bank caught fire while the aircraft was taxiing after landing. Six passengers were injured, including one who suffered a leg fracture.

In October 2025, a power bank caught fire aboard an IndiGo flight bound for Dimapur while the aircraft was taxiing at Delhi airport. Cabin crew extinguished the fire, and no injuries were reported. These incidents show that a battery can become dangerous during different stages of a journey, including after landing.

Together with the Hyderabad diversion, the events explain why regulators and airlines stress safe handling, visible storage and early warnings. Rules limit where power banks can be carried and prohibit their use or recharging during flights. Immediate crew intervention remains essential when heat or smoke appears.

A lithium-ion battery stores energy in chemical form and releases it as electrical energy when connected to a device. Inside the battery, lithium ions move between internal electrodes while electrons travel through the external circuit. This process powers a phone, power bank or other equipment. The battery’s compact energy storage makes it useful but requires careful handling.

Damage, crushing or ageing can disrupt the battery’s internal layers. A short circuit can let electrical current take an unintended path, producing heat. Overcharging or uncontrolled heating can raise the temperature further. If heat generation accelerates beyond the battery’s ability to dissipate it, thermal runaway can begin. The battery may then smoke, catch fire or explode.

The article links these risks to manufacturing defects, mishandling and damaged batteries. It advises protecting terminals from metal contact and avoiding damaged devices. On aircraft, accessible storage, immediate reporting and trained crew help detect and control a dangerous battery before it escalates.