Riyadh: The General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has issued a circular to airlines operating within Saudi airports, detailing updated restrictions from the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) concerning the carriage and use of power banks aboard aircraft.
According to Saudi Press Agency, the updates are part of amendments to ICAO's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air (Doc 9284). The new regulations explicitly prohibit the recharging of power banks while onboard aircraft and advise against using them to charge electronic devices during flights.
The guidelines further restrict passengers to carrying a maximum of two power banks per person. These must be stored in carry-on baggage and kept inside the aircraft cabin throughout the flight.
GACA emphasized that these measures are intended to enhance aviation safety and mitigate risks associated with power banks within aircraft cabins, aligning with international aviation standards as outlined by ICAO.