ICAO Two-Unit Power Bank Rule: Flights Departing from Singapore to Enforce

Starting 15 April 2026, passengers departing from Singapore will be permitted to carry only two power banks in carry‑on luggage, as mandated under updated safety standards issued by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

This limit applies to all rechargeable battery packs, including those with capacities up to 100 Watt‑hours (Wh) and between 100 Wh and 160 Wh that require advance approval from the carrier. Passengers found with more than two power banks will be required to dispose of excess units before boarding their flights.

The rule also prohibits the charging or use of power banks onboard aircraft, reflecting ICAO’s intention to mitigate fire hazards caused by lithium‑ion battery overheating or short circuits. The news comes only a few months after DCGA (of India) banned the use of power-banks on flights, and so did Hainan Group of South Korea.

Hanjin Group Bans In-Flight Power Bank Use: What Passengers Need to Know About Korean Air, Asiana, and Subsidiaries

New ICAO Safety Requirements for Power Banks

The ICAO amendment, formalized in early April 2026, adds a two‑unit limit for power banks per passenger to the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

It further says that carriage restrictions include that items must be in carry‑on baggage only and not charged during flights. The purpose is to reduce lithium battery‑related fire and safety risks onboard aircraft.

ICAO’s latest specifications were announced in late March and apply worldwide, marking a significant evolution in international aviation safety standards. Here’s the details:

Specification / Item	Details
Effective date	27 March 2026 (icao.int)
Maximum number per passenger	2
In-flight usage / charging by passengers	Prohibited
Crew usage	Allowed in line with operational aircraft requirements
Purpose / rationale	Mitigate fire risks and emerging hazards posed by lithium battery-powered power banks
Governing document	ICAO Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284)
Approval and oversight	Recommendations reviewed by ICAO Air Navigation Commission and endorsed by ICAO Council (36 States)
Global applicability	All 193 ICAO Member States
Strategic alignment	Part of ICAO vision for “air transport for all by 2050” with zero fatalities and net zero carbon emissions
Monitoring body	ICAO Dangerous Goods Panel actively monitors risks and advises on updates

Details of the Implementation of ICAO’s Directive in Singapore

CAAS emphasised that passengers carrying more than two power banks must dispose of the excess before joining flights.

Additionally:

• Power banks must not be charged onboard aircraft.
• Passengers should check specific airline guidance, as carriers may adopt more stringent policies.
• CAAS will assist airlines and airport staff with smooth implementation, including training screening officers and posting reminders at key touchpoints within Changi Airport.

Mr Foong Ling Huei, Director of Flight Standards at CAAS, stated the requirements are designed to reduce the risk of fires caused by power banks, urging travellers to familiarise themselves with the new rules:

“The new requirements will help reduce the risk of fire caused by power banks on board flights. We urge all passengers to familiarise themselves and comply with the new requirements, for their own safety and the safety of other passengers.”

Comparison with Previous International Incidents

In July 2025, a fire likely ignited by a power bank occurred aboard Virgin Australia Flight VA1528, a Boeing 737‑800 operating from Sydney to Hobart; the blaze erupted in an overhead compartment during descent and was extinguished by cabin crew before landing, with no injuries reported.

Earlier in August 2025, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines Flight KL792 — a Boeing 777‑306/ER — experienced a power bank that spontaneously ignited mid‑flight from São Paulo to Amsterdam, prompting crew intervention to isolate and extinguish the device and ensuring the aircraft safely continued to its destination.

A particularly notable case investigated by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) involved a Virgin Australia Boeing 737‑800 (VH‑YFY) on 21 July 2025, where a power bank’s lithium‑ion battery underwent a thermal runaway in an overhead locker, causing smoke and flames; although the situation was brought under control and the aircraft landed safely, several crew members required medical treatment for smoke inhalation.

On the ground, a power bank onboard IndiGo Flight 6E 2107 (DEL‑DMU) from Delhi to Dimapur caught fire while taxiing at Delhi airport in October 2025, prompting crew action to extinguish the device and return the aircraft to the bay.