On Sunday, 19 October 2025, a passenger’s power bank erupted into flames on board a IndiGo flight (6E 2107) bound for Dimapur from Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi), forcing the aircraft to return to the bay and undergo safety checks. The airline confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Incident Details and Response
According to airline and airport sources, the fire broke out while the Airbus A320 aircraft was taxiing at Delhi airport for its scheduled departure. A passenger’s personal power bank stored in the seat-back pocket caught fire, prompting immediate action by the cabin crew.
IndiGo’s spokesperson said: “The crew managed the situation quickly and diligently following the Standard Operating Procedure, and the incident was controlled within seconds.” No injuries or damage to the aircraft were reported, and the flight was cleared for departure after checks.
Background: Electronic Device and Battery Safety On Flights
Lithium-ion batteries, such as those found in power banks, are classified as potentially hazardous when carried onboard aircraft because of their risk of thermal runaway. Aviation regulators worldwide have issued warnings and guidelines for safe carriage of such items in cabin baggage.
In this incident, the power bank appears to have ignited while stored in the seat-back area — a location generally accessible but less visible to crew or other passengers. The fact that the fire occurred during taxiing underscores how quickly such events can develop and why rapid crew response is critical.
Airline Handling, Safety Protocols and Passenger Impact
IndiGo’s quick action prevented escalation. The flight was delayed briefly, passengers were informed, and the aircraft returned to the bay for inspection before resuming operations. According to tracking data, the flight later departed at 14:33 IST for Dimapur, arriving at 16:45 IST.
For passengers, the incident raises awareness of the risks associated with carrying power banks and other lithium-battery-based devices. While no harm was done this time, airlines may tighten enforcement of guidelines and pre-flight checks to ensure such items are declared and stored properly.
At an industry level, this case could prompt aviation authorities in India and elsewhere to revisit protocols around personal electronic devices, battery capacity limits, and storage locations within the aircraft cabin.
What It Means Going Forward
For travellers: Let this serve as a reminder to check the manufacturer’s guidance on power banks (capacity, certification, condition) and to carry them in cabin baggage rather than checked luggage. Avoid storing them in seat-back pockets or areas where visibility is limited.
For airlines and regulators: The incident highlights that crew training and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for lithium-battery failures remain essential. Routine checks of seat-pocket items and cabin sweeps during taxiing may reduce risk.
For the wider aviation ecosystem: While commercial aircraft are designed with fire suppression and containment systems, the presence of small, portable devices with significant energy density presents an ongoing safety challenge. This latest incident could feed into broader efforts to harmonise global guidelines for battery-powered devices onboard.
FAQs
A passenger’s power bank ignited while the flight was taxiing from Delhi to Dimapur; the crew contained it swiftly and the flight returned to the bay before continuing.
No injuries were reported. The airline confirmed all passengers and crew onboard were safe.
Travellers should carry power banks in cabin baggage, ensure they are undamaged and within permitted capacity limits, and avoid storing them in hard-to-reach or poorly visible places like seat-back pockets.
