Emirates rolls out new restrictions on power banks onboard

Dubai: Emirates, one of the UAE’s two flag carriers, has announced updated safety measures regarding power banks on its flights, effective October 1, 2025. The move comes after a safety review in response to increasing incidents involving lithium batteries in aviation.

Under the new policy, passengers may carry only one power bank with a capacity of less than 100 watt-hours. Charging personal devices via power banks, or recharging the power banks themselves using the aircraft’s power supply, will be prohibited. 

Additionally, power banks cannot be stored in overhead bins—they must remain in the seat pocket or in a bag placed under the seat in front. All accepted power banks must clearly display their capacity rating.

The airline’s restrictions align with similar rules adopted by several global carriers, including Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, HK Express, Hong Kong Airlines, AirAsia, Air Busan, China Airlines, EVA Air, Scoot, Starlux, and Thai Airways. Some, like Asiana, Korean Air, and Air Busan, allow power banks onboard but require them to be kept in seat pockets or on the passenger.

Indian airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet also have comparable policies, with Air India further insisting that each power bank be individually packed to prevent short circuits. 

In China, the Civil Aviation Administration has taken stricter action, banning uncertified power banks on domestic flights due to fire risks associated with lithium batteries.