Saudi Arabia Bans In-Flight Power Bank Charging on All Flights

May 23, 2026

Passengers flying to, from, or within Saudi Arabia can no longer recharge power banks while onboard — and are limited to carrying two devices each.

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Key Takeaways

Saudi Arabia’s aviation regulator has banned the recharging of power banks during flights
Passengers may carry a maximum of two power banks, which must stay in cabin baggage
The rules bring Saudi Arabia in line with ICAO’s updated global standards, effective March 2026

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has updated the rules for carrying and using power banks on flights operating at Saudi airports.

The changes bring the Kingdom in line with new international specifications from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), which took effect on 27 March 2026.

What the New Rules Say

Passengers are now prohibited from recharging power banks while onboard an aircraft. Using a power bank to charge other personal devices during a flight is also discouraged.

Each traveller may carry no more than two power banks, and the devices must be kept in carry-on baggage inside the cabin — they cannot be placed in checked luggage.

GACA said the rules are designed to reduce the risks posed by lithium batteries in aircraft cabins, in line with the ICAO’s Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air.

Why Power Banks Are Restricted

Lithium battery-powered devices present emerging safety risks aboard aircraft. The ICAO’s updated specifications address these concerns, with crew members remaining permitted to carry and use power banks according to the operational requirements of their aircraft.

GACA’s Broader Enforcement Record

The new power bank rules come as GACA tightens oversight across Saudi Arabia’s aviation sector. The authority recorded 609 violations in 2025, with financial penalties totalling more than SR13.8 million ($3.6 million) issued against airlines, companies, and individuals found in breach of civil aviation regulations.

Of those violations, 404 involved airlines failing to follow GACA instructions, resulting in fines exceeding SR6.7 million. A further 136 violations related to breaches of passenger rights protections, with penalties of more than SR5 million.

Additional violations covered licensed aviation companies, drone operators, passengers accused of misconduct onboard, breaches of safety procedures, and the submission of false information during licensing processes.

Mohammad bin Abdullah

A mass communication graduate from Mohammed V University in Rabat, Morocco. He currently resides in the UK, where he is pursuing a degree in Islamic studies. He works for The Islamic Information as a news writer.