Battery-powered electronic smoking devices – or vape mods – are banned from airplanes, the Department of Civil Aviation said.

It said this after a vape mod battery exploded mid-air on a Malindo Air flight yesterday.

DCA secretary-general Azharuddin Abdul Rahman said this is based on the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

The guideline state the following:

i. Passengers and cabin crew are prohibited from carrying battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices including electronic cigarettes in checked baggage.

ii. Prohibits recharging of battery-powered portable electronic smoking devices in aircraft cabins.

iii. Batteries shall be removed from electronic smoking devices and be put in proper storage.

“These instructions shall be complied with by airline operators, crew and passengers so as to avoid future incidences,” Azharuddin said in a statement.

He said Sunday's incident is under investigation.

A vape mod battery inside a bag placed on a passenger's lap, burst into flames on board a Malindo Air flight en route to Kuala Lumpur from Kota Kinabalu yesterday.

The passenger sustained burns on his thighs and left hand in the incident which happened soon after take-off.

He was immediately treated another passenger who was also a doctor.

The crew managed to put out the fire and the plane landed safely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 at 8.44pm.