Summary
“Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has updated its power bank rules for every flight using the Kingdom’s airports. You can carry a maximum of two power banks, both in your cabin baggage, and you cannot recharge them during the flight. Power banks are no longer allowed in checked luggage.”
Almost every traveler today packs a power bank to keep a phone, tablet, or laptop alive on a long journey. If your trip takes you to, from, or within Saudi Arabia, the way you carry and use that power bank has changed in 2026. The General Authority of Civil Aviation has issued a new circular to all airlines operating at Saudi airports, and the rules are now tighter than before.
These changes are not random. They follow updated international safety standards and match similar moves by airlines and regulators across the world. Even so, security staff at Saudi airports are checking, so you need to know exactly what is allowed and what is banned.
What Are the New Saudi Arabia Power Bank Rules?
GACA announced the updated regulations through the Saudi Press Agency and confirmed that they apply to passengers and crew on all airlines using the Kingdom’s airports. The authority said the changes bring Saudi Arabia in line with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and its amended Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, known as Doc 9284. Those international changes took effect on 27 March 2026.
In simple terms, the rules cover three things: how many power banks you can bring, where you must keep them, and whether you can use them in the air. Each point matters, because getting any of them wrong can mean your device is taken from you at the gate.
The 5 Key Rules at a Glance
Here are the core rules every traveler needs to remember before flying.
| # | Rule | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maximum of two power banks per passenger | You cannot bring three or more, even if each one is small |
| 2 | Power banks must stay in carry-on baggage | Keep them in the cabin with you, not in your suitcase |
| 3 | Power banks are banned from checked baggage | Never pack a power bank in luggage that goes in the hold |
| 4 | Recharging power banks during the flight is prohibited | Do not plug your power bank into the seat USB or socket |
| 5 | Using a power bank to charge devices onboard is discouraged | Charge your phone and tablet before you board instead |
The first three are firm restrictions. The fourth is a clear ban. The fifth is strong advice rather than an outright ban, but the safest choice is to avoid using a power bank in the air at all.
Why Did GACA Update the Power Bank Rules?
The reason behind these rules is fire safety. Power banks run on lithium-ion batteries, and while these batteries are reliable most of the time, they can fail in a dangerous way. A damaged, overheated, or poorly made cell can enter a state called thermal runaway, a chain reaction where the battery overheats, releases gas, and can catch fire or explode.
A fire like this is far easier to control in the cabin, where crew can see it and act fast, than in the cargo hold, where a power bank in checked baggage could burn unnoticed. That is the main reason power banks are now restricted to the cabin only.
The numbers explain the concern. Aviation safety bodies have logged hundreds of lithium battery incidents on aircraft over the past two decades, and power banks account for a large share of them. GACA’s update is part of a wider safety push across the Kingdom’s fast-growing aviation sector, which ties into Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plans to expand air travel and tourism. The authority has also stepped up enforcement, recording more than 600 aviation violations in 2025 and issuing penalties worth over 13 million Saudi riyals.
Power Bank Watt-Hour Limits Explained
Beyond the count and the location rules, one more factor decides whether your power bank is allowed at all: its capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). This follows the same international standard that airlines use worldwide.
| Capacity (Wh) | Allowed? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 100 Wh | Yes | Allowed in carry-on without airline approval |
| 100 Wh to 160 Wh | Yes, with approval | Needs airline permission, usually limited to two units |
| Over 160 Wh | No | Banned from both carry-on and checked baggage |
Most consumer power banks fall under 100 Wh, so the typical traveler is fine. The very large camping or emergency power stations are the ones that cross the 160 Wh line and are not allowed on passenger aircraft.
How to Check Your Power Bank Capacity
Many power banks show their capacity in milliamp-hours (mAh) rather than watt-hours. Airlines use watt-hours, so you may need to convert. The formula is simple:
Watt-hours (Wh) = milliamp-hours (mAh) x voltage (V) ÷ 1,000
Most power banks use a cell voltage of 3.7V. If the watt-hour rating is printed on the device, use that figure, because it is the most accurate.
mAh to Wh Conversion
Here is a quick reference for common power bank sizes at 3.7V.
| Capacity (mAh) | Approx. watt-hours (Wh) | Flight status |
|---|---|---|
| 10,000 mAh | About 37 Wh | Allowed |
| 20,000 mAh | About 74 Wh | Allowed |
| 27,000 mAh | About 100 Wh | Allowed (at the limit) |
| 40,000 mAh | About 148 Wh | Needs airline approval |
| 50,000 mAh | About 185 Wh | Not allowed |
As a rule of thumb, anything up to about 27,000 mAh is safe to carry. Between roughly 27,000 mAh and 43,000 mAh, contact your airline before traveling. Above that, leave the device at home.
Which Airports and Airlines Are Affected?
The new rules apply across all of Saudi Arabia’s airports, including the major hubs:
- King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh
- King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah
- King Fahd International Airport in Dammam
Because the circular went to every carrier operating at Saudi airports, the rules cover Saudi airlines such as Saudia, flynas, and flyadeal, as well as international airlines flying in and out of the Kingdom. Whether you are on a short domestic hop or a long-haul international route, the same limits apply.
How Saudi Rules Compare With Other Countries
Saudi Arabia is part of a global wave of stricter power bank rules in 2025 and 2026. Many regulators and airlines have adopted the same two-power-bank limit and the in-flight charging ban. The table below shows how the Kingdom lines up with others.
| Country or carrier | Two power bank limit | In-flight charging banned | Cabin only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia (GACA) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| United Arab Emirates | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Qatar Airways | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| India (DGCA) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Singapore Airlines | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lufthansa Group | Yes | Yes | Yes |
The takeaway is clear: these are now the global norm. If you fly internationally, expect similar rules on most routes, so building good power bank habits now will help you everywhere.
Packing Checklist for Travelers
Use this short checklist before you head to the airport.
- Count your power banks and bring no more than two.
- Place both power banks in your hand luggage, never in your checked suitcase.
- Check the watt-hour rating, and make sure each unit is under 100 Wh, or get airline approval for 100 to 160 Wh.
- Cover the charging ports or pack each power bank separately to prevent short circuits.
- Charge your phone, tablet, and laptop fully before boarding so you do not need the power bank in the air.
- Keep the power bank where you can reach it, not buried at the bottom of your bag.
A little preparation saves you from losing a device at security or being told to repack at the gate.
Penalties and Enforcement
GACA has made clear that these rules are part of a broader effort to enforce safety standards more strictly. The authority has increased inspections and issued significant fines for breaches of civil aviation regulations across the sector.
For individual travelers, the most common outcome of breaking the rules is having the power bank removed before you board, along with delays and the hassle of repacking. If your power bank is over the 160 Wh limit, it will not be allowed on the aircraft at all. Following the rules from the start is the easiest way to keep your trip smooth.
Final Takeaway
The updated Saudi Arabia power bank rules are easy to follow once you know them: carry no more than two power banks, keep them in your cabin baggage, never pack them in checked luggage, and do not charge them in the air. Check the watt-hour rating before you fly, and charge your devices fully at the airport.
These rules exist to lower the risk of lithium battery fires and to keep every passenger safe. They also match what most major airlines and regulators now require worldwide, so good habits will help you on every trip, not just your flights through the Kingdom. Pack smart, stay within the limits, and your power bank will travel with you without any trouble.
Always confirm the latest requirements with your airline before you fly, as aviation rules can be updated and enforcement can vary by carrier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring a power bank on a flight in Saudi Arabia?
Yes. You can carry up to two power banks, but they must be in your cabin baggage, not your checked luggage, and each one should be within the watt-hour limit.
Can I charge my phone with a power bank during a Saudi flight?
You are advised not to. GACA discourages using power banks to charge devices onboard, and recharging the power bank itself is banned during the flight.
How many power banks can I carry?
A maximum of two per passenger, regardless of how small each one is.
What is the largest power bank I can take on a Saudi flight?
Power banks up to 100 Wh (around 27,000 mAh) are allowed without approval. Units from 100 to 160 Wh need airline permission. Anything over 160 Wh is banned.
Why can’t I put a power bank in checked baggage?
Because a lithium battery fire in the cargo hold would be hard to detect and control. Keeping power banks in the cabin lets the crew respond quickly if something goes wrong.
Do these rules apply to all airlines?
Yes. The GACA circular applies to every airline operating at Saudi airports, including Saudia, flynas, flyadeal, and international carriers.
