DGCA Bans 15-inch MacBook Pros On Flights In India, Because Of Battery Overheating

UPDATE: DGCA has now revealed in a tweet that passengers cannot carry 2015 15-inch MacBook Pro (sold between 2015-2017) until they're certified safe after making the necessary replacements.

Apple recently recalled its 15-inch 2015 and 2017 MacBook Pros with Retina display after they were reported to overheat and risked catching fire.

Apple also issued a notification regarding this to various aviation authorities across the globe like the European Union Aviation Authority and American Federal Aviation Administration, post which various American and European flights banned the carrying of the affected MacBooks in flight as well as check-in luggage.

Now even DGCA is considering bringing these MacBook restrictions to flights coming into India.

Reuters

"The DGCA is examining the issue and if need be, will do the needful," said a senior official, in a Times Of India report.

This Sunday, Singapore Airlines issued a notice stating,"Apple has recently announced a recall of a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro models. Affected models were sold primarily between September 2015 and February 2017. Customers are to refrain from bringing the affected models either as hand-carry or in checked baggage until the battery has been verified as safe or replaced by the manufacturer."

Thai Airways, too followed suit by banning the affected MacBook Pro laptops after Singapore Airlines.

Apple has also stated that the entire battery replacement process will be carried out only at an Apple Repair Center in each case. Moreover, the Cupertino giant also revealed that the replacements could easily take one or two weeks to complete, pertaining to the availability of new batteries and the load.

The replacement will be free of charge. It is strongly advised to the users of affected MacBook Pros to get it replaced as soon as possible to be on the safer side.

Rawpixel

Customers can check if their MacBook is affected by entering the serial number here. Only the 2015 MacBook Pros with 15-inch Retina displays are affected.

This is the second electronic device to be banned from an aircraft after the infamous flaming Galaxy Note 7's by Samsung that caught fire while charging due to a severe manufacturing defect. The device was later discontinued, even after the device getting replaced.