Starting from 15 April 2026, passengers departing from Singapore will be limited to carrying a maximum of two power banks on board flights, as announced by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS). This new regulation was introduced to mitigate fire and safety risks posed by lithium batteries in power banks, which can overheat or short-circuit.
The regulation aligns with an addendum to the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) technical instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air, effective April 2026. Airlines and stakeholders are working to implement these changes smoothly, with current guidelines prohibiting power banks in checked baggage and setting capacity limits for carry-on devices.
Singapore Airlines, for example, has previously prohibited charging power banks onboard and mandates carrying them only in cabin baggage, with capacity restrictions of up to 100Wh without approval and 100-160Wh with airline approval. Similarly, the Airport Authority Hong Kong has adopted similar restrictions for passengers departing from Hong Kong International Airport.
Passengers are advised that crew members will still be permitted to carry and use power banks in line with operational requirements. The authorities are preparing to inform travelers of these new restrictions through various airport touchpoints and airline communications, with enforcement beginning on 15 April 2026.
