Saudi Arabia bans charging power banks onboard flights

RIYADH — The General Authority of Civil Aviation issued a new circular to all airlines operating at the Kingdom’s airports updating regulations governing the carriage of portable chargers (power banks) and electronic devices aboard aircraft.The authority said the updated measures align with international civil aviation safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization and are aimed at strengthening aviation safety and security.Under the new rules, passengers and cabin crew are prohibited from recharging portable power banks while onboard aircraft.The regulations also restrict the carriage of power banks to hand luggage inside the aircraft cabin and prohibit placing them in checked baggage.Passengers will be allowed to carry a maximum of two portable chargers each.The authority further recommended avoiding the use of power banks to charge electronic devices during flights as an additional precautionary safety measure.