DGCA Bans Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch On Flights in India

The notification from DGCA refers to specific models of the Apple MacBook Pro bought between 2015 and 2017.

Your 15-inch MacBook Pro made between 2015 and 2017 is banned on Indian flights.

(Photo: The Quint)

Indian fliers who own a 15-inch MacBook Pro from Apple, the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a message for you: "Don’t carry your laptop either as hand-baggage or checked-in luggage".

This order stands for people those who’ve bought the 15-inch version of the Apple laptop between September 2015 and February 2017.

These are the same models, which Apple had recalled a couple of months back, when a limited number of older generation 15-inch MacBook Pro units where found to be containing battery that may overheat and pose a safety risk.

These units can be specifically identified by their product serial number.

The DGCA informed fliers about its notification with this tweet earlier on Monday.

These models were said to be carrying battery units which could overheat due to some issues, and this would invariably put everyone flying in danger. 

The DGCA recognises the recall made by Apple earlier this year, but back then it wasn’t clear if the issue would directly affect MacBook users in India or not.

Is Your MacBook Pro Safe To Fly With?

Those who want to check if their 15-inch MacBook model is affected by this issue can head to the support page on Apple’s website. Apple was voluntarily replacing the battery. To check if the model was eligible for a battery replacement the company was asking people to check their serial number on the site.

Check if your MacBook is part of the recall list.

How To Check Your Serial Number

Here’s how you check what your serial number is. Click on the Apple menu on the top left of the screen and then select ‘About This Mac’ option.

This is where you can find the serial number of your MacBook Pro,

Which will show you a screen like this, with the serial number mentioned:

Find the serial number of your MacBook Pro model.

It remains to be seen how the airline authorities are going to verify the MacBook Pro, without getting the whole database of laptop versions sold by the company in India. Brace for some tough questions at the airport if you are carrying a MacBook Pro.