April 15, 2026: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has issued new specifications governing onboard power banks in a bid to combat the risk of lithium battery fires during flights.

The UN agency said the devices should be limited to two per passenger as of March 27 and recharging power banks during flights should be prohibited.

However, crew will still be allowed to use power banks in line with the operational requirements of aircraft.

The decision reflects “emerging expertise” around risks presented by passengers’ lithium batteries, the ICAO said.

Independent technical experts on the agency’s Air Navigation Commission endorsed recommendations to amend the Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air, with some revisions, which have now been approved by the 36 states that form the ICAO Council. The addendum to the technical instructions will be provided to all 193 ICAO member states.

While the agency’s technical instructions are not a standalone law, they are part of the broader legal framework governing the international transport of dangerous goods by air.

The move comes a year after Hong Kong’s aviation regulator issued a ban on passengers using lithium battery power banks during flights or stowing the devices in overhead compartments. Earlier, several international airlines had introduced strict bans on power banks being used on flights after onboard fires.

Last month, a report published by UL Standards & Engagement’s Thermal Runaway Incident Program on March 10 said thermal runaway incidents in air cargo increased by 40% between 2021 and 2025 — and are increasing at an average yearly rate of 9% — driven by consumer demand for low-cost, battery-powered products.