Unsafe and restricted items
While packing your bags, it is always important to ensure that you only carry what is considered safe for air travel. Be it your carry-on or cabin baggage, carrying such hazardous items poses a threat to you, your fellow passengers and crew onboard. To make it easier for you, here is a quick guide to the list of items that are seen as unsafe for flight travel. If you are carrying any of these items, never hesitate to inform the security-check personnel and discard them as per the instructions given to you.
Unsafe items
Not allowed in hand baggage | Not allowed in checked-in or hand baggage |
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Restricted articles
Certain items that are otherwise considered unsafe will be allowed as baggage provided you receive advance approval for carrying it from the authorised body. It should also be in accordance with the policies of Air India, interline carriers and local regulations. Such items include:
- Battery-powered wheelchairs with spillable/non-spillable batteries
- Dry ice (carbon dioxide, solid), in quantities not exceeding 2.5 kg per person when used to pack perishables not subject to DG Regulations in checked or carry-on baggage, provided the baggage (package) permits the release of carbon dioxide gas. Checked baggage must be marked ‘dry ice’ or ‘carbon dioxide, solid’ and with the net weight of dry ice or an indication that there is 2.5 kg or less dry ice and insulated packaging containing refrigerated liquid nitrogen in recommended quantities for medical purpose subject to approval from Aircraft operator in writing.
- Portable medical electronic devices
- Lithium battery-powered self-balancing devices.
- Satellite phones (Thuraya and Iridium) and GPS devices. It requires authorisation from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd., Ministry of Home Affairs or Department of Telecom.
- Medical devices and medication. It should accompany a valid medical certificate or prescription for proof during security screening.
- Alcohol is permitted as hand baggage as per LAG policy for international transfer passengers alone.
- Ammunitions will be allowed as checked-in baggage as per DGCA’s policy, provided authorised documents are made available.
Short guide on the carriage of batteries
I. Spare batteries
- Batteries and fuel cells, spare or loose, including lithium-ion, non-spillable, nickel-metal hydride, and dry batteries not exceeding a Watt-hour rating of 100 Wh, are allowed as cabin baggage. You can carry only a maximum of two spare batteries.
II. Batteries up to 100 Wh
- For lithium metal batteries, the lithium metal content must not exceed 2g. The Watt-Hour rating must also not exceed 100 Wh.
- You can carry batteries emptied from the electronic equipment. You can carry a maximum of two such spare batteries.
III. Batteries exceeding 100 Wh
- For batteries exceeding 100 Wh but not exceeding 160 Wh, the lithium content may exceed 2 g but not more than 8 g, including Portable Electronic Devices (PEDs) and Portable Medical Electronic Devices (PMEDs). You can carry a maximum of 2 such batteries.
Short guide on the carriage of drones
Domestic flights
Carriage of drones on domestic flights is governed by the regulations set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Drone Rules 2021.
- Nano, micro and small drones weighing up to 2kg can be carried as cabin baggage and checked baggage, unless the partner airline policy specifies otherwise.
- Drones with battery capacity up to 160 Wh are allowed as checked-in baggage. Only two spare batteries are allowed for large drones with battery capacity between 100 Wh and 160 Wh.
- All drones must be in switched-off condition and packed appropriately.
- Batteries, including spare ones, must be packed as cabin baggage. If the drone is carried as checked-in baggage, the batteries must be removed and carried as cabin baggage. Nano drones with Li batteries can only be carried as cabin baggage.
- Drones with a battery capacity over 160 Wh cannot be carried as either cabin or checked-in baggage. They are allowed only as cargo shipment subject to obtaining prior approval.
International flights
The carriage of drones on international flights is subject to the drone carriage policy of the concerned country.
Apple Inc.’s official advisory on carrying MacBook Pro laptops
Certain old-generation 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops sold between Sept 2015 and Feb 2017 cannot be carried onboard due to an overheating issue of the battery while in use. Check Apple’s support website using your laptop’s serial number to know whether your MacBook Pro falls under this category. You can also visit the DGCA website for more information.