India DGCA Bans MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 Power Bank on Flights After Mid-Air Fire
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One power bank model is now banned on every flight to, from and within India, after a battery fire in an IndiGo overhead bin forced a diversion. Whether you’re flying in India or packing a spare battery anywhere else, here’s what changed, what didn’t, and how to pack for your next flight.
What DGCA banned
According to The Hindu, Hindustan Times and The Indian Express, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prohibited the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 power bank on:
- All flights to, from and within India
- Cabin (hand) baggage, checked baggage and cargo
The ban was reported on 14 October 2026, days after the IndiGo incident. (The Hindu gives the circular's date as 29 September 2026, which would be before that fire, so we don't rely on it.) Reports stressed that the restriction is model-specific, not a ban on every power bank.
Nepal Airlines also told passengers on Nepal–India routes not to carry that same MOBIKINS model in cabin, checked bags or cargo on flights operating within India or to/from India, The Indian Express reported.
What happened on the IndiGo flight
On 11 October 2026, an IndiGo flight diverted to Hyderabad after a passenger power bank in an overhead bin caught fire. Crew extinguished the fire and the aircraft landed safely. The Indian Express and The Aviation Herald covered the diversion. Outlets don’t agree on the origin airport (some describe a Delhi–Chennai routing), so this article sticks to what multiple reputable sources confirm: an IndiGo flight diverted to Hyderabad on 11 October 2026 after a power bank fire in an overhead bin.
DGCA’s MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 prohibition is the regulatory response to note. Again: one model, not every brand.
The rules that still apply to every power bank
Even if your model isn’t banned, airlines treat spare lithium-ion power banks as spare batteries, not ordinary gadgets.
Cabin only — never checked
The FAA PackSafe lithium battery guidance requires spare lithium batteries (including power banks) in carry-on, not checked baggage. IATA-aligned airline rules follow the same principle so crew can respond if a battery fails in flight. Put the bank in your personal item or cabin bag, not in the hold.
Watt-hour limits
Under common FAA passenger rules:
- Up to 100 Wh: generally allowed in carry-on without special airline approval
- 101–160 Wh: airline approval often required; typically limited (often two spare batteries of this size)
- Over 160 Wh: generally prohibited for passengers
Always check the Wh rating printed on the bank (or calculate from mAh and voltage) and your airline’s page — some carriers are stricter than the baseline.
In-flight use and overhead bins
Many airlines restrict using power banks to charge other devices in flight, or ask that they not be left in overhead bins unattended. The IndiGo case shows why: a thermal event inside a closed bin is harder to spot early. Keep spare banks where you can see and reach them, follow the crew briefing, and never pack a damaged, swollen or recalled unit.
Full walkthrough: Can you bring a power bank on a plane?
How to pick a flight-friendly power bank
Replacing a bank or shopping before a trip to India? Start here:
- Buy a known brand with clear Wh labelling on the product and packaging.
- Stay at or under 100 Wh for the fewest gate surprises, unless you have airline approval for a larger unit.
- Protect terminals — use a pouch so nothing metal shorts the ports.
- Skip damaged or no-name units with missing certifications.
Compare cabin-friendly options in our best power banks for flying guide. Established makers such as Anker and Ugreen publish Wh ratings and airline-oriented capacity ranges on their product pages.
Browse Anker power banks · Browse Ugreen power banks
What travellers to or through India should do now
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| You own a MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 | Do not take it on any flight to, from or within India (cabin, checked or cargo). Leave it at home or dispose of it per local e-waste rules. |
| You own any other power bank | Still cabin only; check Wh limits and airline policy. |
| You’re buying a new bank | Prefer clearly labelled Wh, reputable brand; see best power banks for flying. |
| You’re connecting via India | The DGCA model ban applies to those sectors — don’t put the banned model in a bag that will touch an India flight. |
Before you fly: eSIM and insurance
A diverted landing is exactly when you want working data and a policy that covers disruption:
- Mobile data on landing. Install a travel eSIM before departure so you can update family, rebook or open maps if plans change. Compare plans in our best travel eSIM guide. Check Airalo · Check Holafly · Check Nomad
- Travel insurance. Review medical, trip interruption and baggage wording yourself. Our SafetyWing vs Heymondo comparison covers longer and multi-country trips. Get a SafetyWing quote · Compare Heymondo
FAQ
Are all power banks banned on flights in India?
No. DGCA’s prohibition named the MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 specifically. Other power banks remain subject to normal lithium battery rules (cabin carriage, Wh limits, airline policies).
Can I put a power bank in checked luggage?
No for spare power banks under standard FAA/IATA-aligned rules — they belong in carry-on. The banned MOBIKINS model must not travel in cabin, checked bags or cargo on India-related flights at all.
What caused the IndiGo diversion?
A power bank in an overhead bin caught fire; the flight diverted to Hyderabad on 11 October 2026 and landed safely after the crew extinguished it. Outlets differ on some routing details; the diversion and overhead-bin fire are consistently reported.
What Wh limit should I aim for?
For simplest compliance, choose a bank at or under 100 Wh and confirm your airline’s page. Larger units in the 101–160 Wh band often need airline approval.
Where can I read the general packing rules?
See the FAA PackSafe lithium batteries page and our guides: can you bring a power bank on a plane and best power banks for flying.
Conclusion
The DGCA action is serious but narrow: don’t fly with a MOBIKINS MK-PB-04 on any India-related sector. Everything else follows the familiar playbook: spare banks in the cabin, know your Wh rating, and pick a clearly labelled unit from a brand that publishes specs. Pair that with a landing eSIM and insurance you’d actually use if a flight goes sideways.
See airline-friendly power banks (Anker) · Ugreen · Get a travel eSIM (Airalo) · SafetyWing quote
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