DGCA bans some Apple MacBook Pro models on domestic flights

The Director General of Civil Aviation or DGCA on Monday issued an advisory prohibiting the use of some Apple MacBook Pro models on-board an aircraft. More specifically, older generation 15-inch Apple MacBook Pro models sold between September 2015 to February 2017 have effectively been banned on domestic flights until further notice. The said Apple MacBook Pro models have been termed a flight risk by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and American Federal Aviation Administration as well.  

“Consequent upon the recall of a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro laptops by M/s Apple Inc. (sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017) due to fears that their batteries may overheat and pose a safety risk, DGCA requests all air passengers not to fly with the affected models either as hand-baggage or checked-in baggage until the battery has been verified/certified as safe or replaced by the manufacturer,” DGCA notes in its advisory.

This follows close on the heels of Apple's recent announcement (dated June 20, 2019) to recall a limited number of MacBook Pro models in which a battery overheat issue had been detected. The said MacBook Pro models have already been banned by several foreign airlines, and it was only about time, the DGCA was out with its own advisory.

"Apple announced a voluntary recall of a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units which contain a battery that may overheat and pose a safety risk. The units were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017 and can be identified by their product serial number. The recall does not affect any other 15-inch MacBook Pro units or other Mac notebooks. Because customer safety is a top priority, Apple is asking customers to stop using affected 15-inch MacBook Pro units. Customers should visit apple.com/support/15-inch-macbook-pro-battery-recall for details on product eligibility and how to have a battery replaced, free of charge," Apple had earlier said in a statement.

This is not the first time a consumer electronic product has been banned on-flight by the DGCA. Samsung’s infamous Galaxy Note 7 was similarly banned from domestic flights in 2016. The ban was lifted three weeks later for devices purchased after September 15, 2016. Eventually, Samsung had pulled the Galaxy Note 7 from the shelves altogether.

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