IndiGo Delhi-Chennai flight diverted to Hyderabad as power bank catches fire mid-air
A power bank catching fire mid-air. Passengers scrambling to contain the flames. An aircraft forced to divert. An incident that could have ended in tragedy unfolded aboard an IndiGo flight from Delhi to Chennai on Sunday, raising serious questions about compliance with aviation safety rules and the dangers of improperly stored lithium-ion batteries.
Flight 6E 6115 was diverted to Hyderabad after smoke was detected from a passenger’s electronic device in the overhead luggage compartment. The cabin crew used a fire extinguisher to douse the flames, and the aircraft landed safely. IndiGo arranged an alternative aircraft to take passengers to Chennai.
A 36-second video from inside the cabin showed passengers initially attempting to tackle the fire with their bags. The footage, however, does not clearly establish who eventually extinguished it.
In a statement, IndiGo said the crew responded promptly and brought the situation under control.
IndiGo’s baggage policy permits power banks and spare lithium batteries only in hand baggage. More importantly, passengers must keep them within personal reach, such as under the seat, in the seat pocket or on their person.
The airline specifically states that these devices “must not be stowed in overhead compartments or checked baggage”.
The restriction is not a technicality. A battery fire inside an overhead bin can be difficult to detect immediately, while smoke and flames in an aircraft cabin can quickly create a dangerous situation. Whether the incident resulted from a passenger’s mistake, a defective device or another cause remains unclear.
Under IndiGo’s policy, passengers may generally carry up to two spare lithium-ion batteries, including power banks, rated at up to 100 watt-hours (Wh), subject to security clearance. Batteries above 100 Wh and up to 160 Wh are permitted only for portable medical devices, with airline approval.
The airline also requires terminals to be insulated against short circuits. Power banks must not be recharged or used to charge other devices during the flight.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a Dangerous Goods Advisory Circular in November 2025 prohibiting the use of power banks to charge devices on board, including through aircraft seat power outlets. It also requires power banks and spare batteries to be kept out of overhead compartments.
The latest incident comes months after a similar episode involving an IndiGo flight in Chandigarh on March 5, 2026. A passenger’s power bank caught fire in a seat pocket after landing, prompting an evacuation. Two fire extinguishers were used to control the fire, and all passengers were safely escorted to the terminal. Power banks use lithium-based batteries that can undergo thermal runaway, a dangerous chain reaction in which overheating can trigger smoke, intense heat and fire.
Sunday’s incident ended without reported casualties, but the consequences of a battery fire at cruising altitude could be far more severe. With explicit safety rules already in place, strict compliance, vigilant enforcement and passenger awareness are essential to prevent a repeat of such incidents.
