Saudi Arabia’s new power bank flight rules: What travellers need to know
Aviation authority updates rules to strengthen onboard passenger safety
DUBAI – Saudi Arabia has introduced a new set of restrictions for passengers carrying portable chargers on flights, placing tighter controls on how power banks can be transported and used onboard aircraft.
The latest measures affect travellers flying through airports across the Kingdom and are aimed at reducing safety risks associated with lithium batteries.
The updated guidance was issued by Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulator and applies to all airlines operating within the Kingdom’s airports. With power banks becoming one of the most commonly carried travel essentials, the new instructions could affect a large number of passengers preparing for upcoming journeys. Authorities say the rules are designed to strengthen aviation safety and align procedures with internationally recognised standards.
New rules
The Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation announced updated regulations governing the carriage and use of portable chargers, commonly known as power banks, along with other electronic devices onboard aircraft.
الهيئة العامة لـ #الطيران_المدني تصدر تعميمًا للناقلات الجوية العاملة في #مطارات المملكة بشأن تحديث ضوابط حمل الشواحن المحمولة (Power Banks) والأجهزة الإلكترونية على متن الطائرات؛ بما يعزز سلامة الطيران. pic.twitter.com/XA8jQd15m1
— هيئة الطيران المدني (@ksagaca) May 21, 2026
According to the new rules, passengers and cabin crew are no longer permitted to recharge power banks during flights. Charging portable chargers while onboard aircraft has now been formally prohibited as part of a broader effort to reduce risks linked to lithium battery-powered devices.
The authority said the updated measures are aligned with international aviation requirements established by the International Civil Aviation Organization. The regulations are intended to enhance safety and security on all flights operating across the Kingdom.
Lithium batteries, which power portable chargers, have long been subject to aviation scrutiny because of their potential to overheat or ignite under certain conditions. Industry safety experts have repeatedly warned that battery malfunctions onboard aircraft present unique challenges due to the confined cabin environment.
Baggage limits
Under the revised instructions, passengers are only permitted to carry power banks in hand luggage within the aircraft cabin. Portable chargers are strictly prohibited inside checked baggage compartments.
Authorities have also introduced a numerical limit. Each traveller can carry a maximum of two power banks onboard. Any quantity beyond this allowance may be restricted under airline policies or airport screening procedures.
Saudi officials have also advised passengers to avoid using power banks to charge personal electronic devices during flights, even in situations where charging itself is technically possible. The recommendation adds an additional precautionary layer to existing regulations.
The move reflects a wider trend among airlines and aviation regulators in the Gulf region, where portable charger safety has become an increasing focus amid rising passenger use of electronic devices during travel.
Several Gulf carriers had already moved towards stricter policies before Saudi Arabia introduced its latest restrictions.
In October 2025, Emirates implemented similar measures prohibiting passengers from using or charging power banks during flights. Meanwhile, flydubai also updated its policy, limiting travellers to a single power bank per passenger in hand luggage and requiring the device to remain switched off throughout the journey.