The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has approved new rules for power banks to improve flight safety.
Starting March 27, 2026, passengers will only be allowed to bring up to two power banks on board.
Additionally, using or charging power banks during the flight will also not be allowed.
However, airline crew members will still be allowed to use power banks when needed for operational duties.
ICAO stated that the new rules are meant to address safety risks linked to lithium batteries, which can overheat or catch fire if damaged or improperly handled.
As mentioned, the new rules were approved by ICAO member states and will take effect on March 27, 2026.
They will be included in the updated Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.
As of now, the new rules do not change the lithium battery watt-hour (Wh) limits for passenger aircraft.
This means power banks still follow the same rule. 100Wh are allowed without approval, 101–160Wh need airline approval and may be limited, and anything over 160Wh is usually not allowed for passengers.
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