INFRAME ASIA, NEWS – An IndiGo passenger flight travelling from New Delhi to Chennai made an emergency landing in Hyderabad on October 11 after a power bank reportedly caught fire inside the cabin. Passengers and crew acted to control the flames before the situation escalated, according to reports by Al Jazeera and other media. No injuries were reported in the initial coverage.
The incident involved IndiGo flight 6E6115, operated by an Airbus A321, according to details reported by UOL. The power bank was said to have caught fire in an overhead baggage compartment, creating smoke inside the aircraft. The flight crew diverted the plane to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad and completed a safe landing.
Reports said passengers assisted in putting out the fire while the crew used extinguishers and followed onboard safety procedures. Images of smoke and the response circulated after the incident. The airline arranged another aircraft to carry passengers onward to Chennai after the initial plane landed.
Lithium-ion batteries, which are commonly used in portable chargers, can overheat or catch fire if they are damaged or malfunction. Such incidents can be difficult to manage in an aircraft cabin because smoke and heat may affect nearby passengers and equipment. Airlines provide rules on carrying and handling portable batteries to reduce associated risks.
Cabin crew receive training to respond to onboard smoke and fire, including the use of extinguishers and procedures for assessing whether a flight should divert. The decision to land at an alternate airport can provide access to emergency services and allow the aircraft to be inspected. In this case, the crew diverted to Hyderabad rather than continuing to the scheduled destination.
The initial reports did not indicate that the aircraft sustained serious damage. The flight landed safely, and the passengers were expected to continue their journey on a replacement aircraft. Further technical inspection would be needed to determine the condition of the aircraft and the cause of the battery failure.
Power banks and other lithium-battery devices are subject to aviation safety requirements that vary by airline and regulatory authority. Passengers are generally told to keep portable chargers in accessible cabin baggage rather than checked luggage, enabling a device to be identified if it overheats. Carriers may also restrict battery capacity and the use of damaged devices.
An in-flight fire can create a serious emergency even when it is quickly contained. Smoke can affect visibility and breathing, while burning batteries may reignite if the source is not properly managed. Quick action by crew members and passengers can help contain the immediate risk, but a diversion allows the aircraft to land and receive a professional inspection.
The incident also highlights why airlines and safety authorities continue to issue guidance about portable electronic devices. Passengers may carry power banks for phones and other equipment, but they need to follow instructions about storage, charging and permitted capacities. Devices that are swollen, damaged or unusually hot should not be used or packed for travel.
IndiGo apologised for the disruption and arranged onward transport for the affected passengers, according to the reports. The diversion changed the flight’s routing and required the airline to organise a replacement aircraft. The reported absence of injuries limited the immediate human impact, although passengers still faced delay and inconvenience.
Airlines routinely record and review safety incidents involving smoke, fire or equipment malfunction. Investigators can examine the device, the cabin crew response and the aircraft’s systems to identify whether further precautions are needed. Publicly available information from the initial reports did not specify whether the power bank had been damaged before boarding.
Passengers were able to continue the journey after the airline arranged another aircraft, while the diverted plane remained available for checks by the relevant teams. Aviation authorities may review the incident in line with their normal safety procedures. The incident adds to reminders that portable battery devices need to be carried and handled according to airline guidance.
