Key Highlights
- The incident: A power bank caught fire on IndiGo flight 6E 6115 from Delhi to Chennai on Sunday.
- Diverted: The flight landed safely in Hyderabad; all passengers and crew are safe.
- Where it started: In the overhead luggage compartment, according to reports.
- The rule: DGCA rules say power banks must not be kept in overhead bins or used during flights.
- Onward travel: IndiGo arranged another aircraft to take passengers to Chennai.
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday after a power bank caught fire on board. The flight, 6E 6115, landed safely at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, and all passengers and crew are safe.
IndiGo said smoke was detected from a passenger’s personal electronic device. “The cabin crew responded promptly and the situation was brought under control,” the airline said, adding that the pilots diverted the flight in line with established protocols.
According to reports, the fire broke out in the overhead luggage compartment due to a malfunctioning power bank. A video recorded by a passenger shows people trying to smother the flames with bags before the crew put the fire out with extinguishers.
The Airbus A321neo had left Delhi at 1:30 pm and was due in Chennai at 4 pm. IndiGo arranged an alternate aircraft and apologised for the inconvenience.
Why It Matters: A Rule That Exists for Exactly This
The incident highlights a rule many passengers still don’t know. Under a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in November 2025 and clarified in January 2026, power banks and spare lithium batteries can be carried only in hand baggage, must not be stored in overhead bins, and cannot be used to charge devices during the flight.
The reason is simple: fires in overhead bins are harder to spot and fight quickly. That is exactly what made Sunday’s incident dangerous, and why the crew’s quick response mattered.
The rules were tightened after a power bank caught fire on an IndiGo plane taxiing at Delhi airport in October 2025.
Power Bank Rules for Flyers
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Carry power banks only in hand baggage | Put power banks in checked luggage |
| Keep them with you, within reach | Store them in overhead bins |
| Charge devices fully before the flight | Use a power bank to charge devices mid-flight |
| Alert crew immediately if a device heats up or smokes | Try to handle a smoking device yourself |
The Bottom Line
Sunday’s flight ended safely thanks to a quick crew response. But it is a clear reminder: a power bank belongs with you, not in the overhead bin.
With inputs from IANS.