IndiGo Flight Diverted After Power Bank Catches Fire: Why Lithium-Ion Batteries Are Dangerous on Aircraft

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai was diverted to Hyderabad on Sunday, October 11, after a passenger’s power bank caught fire inside an overhead baggage compartment. The incident highlights the safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries aboard aircraft, where smoke, intense heat and the possibility of reignition can create serious challenges for passengers and crew.

IndiGo flight 6E 6115 made an emergency landing at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad. All passengers and crew members were reported safe, with no injuries. The airline arranged an alternative flight for passengers travelling to Chennai and apologised for the disruption.

The incident has renewed attention on the safe handling of power banks during air travel. But why do these portable charging devices catch fire, and what should passengers do if a battery begins smoking or overheating?

What Happened on the IndiGo Flight?

The flight was scheduled to travel from Delhi to Chennai on October 11. Before reaching its destination, a passenger’s power bank reportedly caught fire inside an overhead baggage compartment.

Passengers noticed smoke coming from the compartment, prompting the cabin crew to respond. The crew used onboard firefighting equipment to extinguish the flames. Videos circulating online showed smoke and flames emerging from the overhead storage area as people attempted to help.

The aircraft was subsequently diverted to Hyderabad as a precaution.

Power banks are widely used to charge smartphones and other portable electronics. However, because they contain rechargeable batteries that store substantial amounts of energy, a malfunction can create a fire hazard, particularly inside an aircraft cabin.

Why Do Power Banks Catch Fire on Flights?

Most power banks use lithium-ion or lithium-polymer battery cells. These batteries offer high energy density, allowing them to store considerable energy in a compact device. Under certain conditions, however, they can overheat and ignite.

One of the most serious risks is a process known as thermal runaway. It occurs when a battery cell undergoes an uncontrolled rise in temperature, triggering chemical reactions that generate additional heat. The process can release flammable gases, produce smoke and flames, and potentially cause the battery to rupture.

Several factors can trigger battery failure:

• Manufacturing defects: Poor-quality cells, faulty components or inadequate internal insulation can increase the risk of an internal short circuit.
• Physical damage: Dropping, crushing or puncturing a power bank can damage its internal components, even when the exterior appears intact.
• Overheating: Exposure to excessive heat can damage battery cells and increase the risk of failure.
• Charging faults: Defective charging equipment, electrical faults or improper charging can contribute to overheating.
• Internal short circuits: Contact between the battery’s internal electrodes can generate heat and trigger thermal runaway.

The danger may continue even after the visible flames have been extinguished. A damaged lithium battery can retain enough heat to reignite, which is why trained personnel must ensure it has been cooled and monitored appropriately.

Why Is a Battery Fire More Dangerous Inside an Aircraft?

A lithium-ion battery fire can be particularly challenging to manage inside an aircraft because the cabin is an enclosed environment where smoke and potentially harmful gases can spread.

An overhead compartment can make the source of a fire difficult to identify and access quickly. A battery may begin overheating inside a bag before passengers notice any smoke, and other belongings stored nearby may also be exposed to heat.

Battery fires can also produce intense temperatures and toxic fumes, creating risks for passengers and crew. Even when the initial flames appear to be under control, the possibility of reignition makes continued monitoring essential.

The incident involving IndiGo is another reminder that portable electronics require careful handling during air travel.

Previous Incidents Involving Power Bank Fires

Power bank and lithium-ion battery incidents have raised aviation safety concerns in several countries.

In June 2024, a power bank reportedly exploded on an Air Arabia flight from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode before departure, prompting concern among passengers and the transfer of travellers to another flight.

In March 2025, a fire linked to a portable power bank reportedly caused severe damage to a South Korean aircraft before take-off.

In July 2025, Australia’s Transport Safety Bureau investigated a backpack fire inside an aircraft’s overhead locker shortly before landing. The cabin crew extinguished the fire, and investigators later recovered a burnt power bank from the bag. The investigation concluded that the battery had experienced thermal runaway.

The October 2026 incident involving IndiGo flight 6E 6115 adds to concerns about the risks associated with lithium batteries in aircraft cabins.

Has India Restricted the Use of Power Banks on Flights?

India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued guidance addressing the use and storage of power banks aboard aircraft.

According to the report, a November 2025 advisory asked airlines to restrict the use of power banks for charging electronic devices during flights and to keep power banks and spare batteries out of overhead baggage compartments.

Passengers should follow the latest instructions issued by their airline, as requirements can change. Power banks and spare lithium batteries are generally required to remain in cabin baggage rather than checked baggage under applicable aviation safety rules.

If an airline takes a cabin bag at the boarding gate to place it in the aircraft’s hold, passengers should remove their power banks and keep them in the cabin, subject to the airline’s instructions.

What Should You Do If a Power Bank Catches Fire on a Plane?

If a power bank or another electronic device becomes unusually hot, swells, emits an unusual smell, produces smoke or catches fire, passengers should alert the cabin crew immediately.

The following precautions can help reduce the risk:

1. Alert the cabin crew immediately. Do not wait for the situation to worsen. Crew members are trained to respond to onboard emergencies.

2. Do not open an overhead compartment containing a suspected burning battery. Opening it without appropriate precautions could expose passengers to flames, hot gases and smoke.

3. Do not attempt to handle a burning or smoking battery yourself. Follow the crew’s instructions and keep away from the affected area.

4. Do not assume the danger has passed when the flames disappear. Lithium-ion batteries can reignite after the initial fire has been extinguished. The crew must ensure the device is handled and monitored safely.

5. Stop using a device that shows warning signs. Unusual heat, swelling or a strange smell can indicate a battery fault. Alert the crew rather than continuing to charge or use it.

How Can Passengers Reduce the Risk Before Boarding?

Passengers can take several precautions to minimise battery-related risks during air travel.

• Carry power banks in cabin baggage and follow the airline’s rules on capacity and quantity.
• Avoid carrying damaged, swollen or defective power banks.
• Protect batteries from crushing, punctures and contact with metal objects that could cause short circuits.
• Keep power banks away from excessive heat.
• Follow airline restrictions on charging devices with power banks during flights.
• Never ignore unusual heat, swelling or smoke from a portable electronic device.

The key lesson is that power banks are useful travel accessories, but their lithium-based batteries require careful handling. Following airline instructions, recognising warning signs and alerting cabin crew promptly can help prevent a battery malfunction from escalating into a serious onboard emergency.