Ensuring Air Travel Safety: Prohibited Items Passengers Must Avoid on Flights

Ensuring the safety of air travel is paramount, particularly in light of recent incidents like a power bank explosion onboard an Air Arabia flight from Abu Dhabi to Kozhikode. The Airport Authority of India (AAI) and other authorities have emphasized stringent guidelines for passengers regarding items allowed during flights. Carrying prohibited items can lead to flight cancellations and pose serious risks to safety. Passengers must thoroughly check and refrain from carrying banned items before embarking on their journey.

Certain items are strictly prohibited in hand luggage:
Personal items such as lighters, flammable materials, sharp metal weapons, scissors, and realistic toy weapons are not allowed. Sharp objects like box cutters, knives (except round-bladed or plastic knives), ice axes/picks, and utility knives are also prohibited. Sporting goods such as baseball bats, golf clubs, and ski poles, as well as firearms, ammunition, and replica firearms, are strictly forbidden. Tools like hatchets, crowbars, and drills, along with self-defense items like pepper spray and stun guns, are also not permitted.

Explosives like dynamite and firecrackers, as well as flammable materials such as aerosols and gels (over 100 ml, which must be in a transparent bag), are restricted. Other hazardous materials like chlorine and fire extinguishers are also on the list of prohibited items. Exceptions are made for necessary items like drug inhalers with a doctor’s prescription and baby food, which are allowed in hand baggage.

As the Gulf countries approach the mid-summer travel peak, airlines and airports have issued specific instructions to ensure passenger safety. Each traveler must comply with these guidelines to prevent any potential hazards that could jeopardize the safety of fellow passengers and crew members. Vigilance and adherence to safety protocols are essential for a smooth and secure travel experience.