Changi Airport Removes 15 Power Banks Under New Two-Device Rule

Passengers departing from Singapore’s Changi Airport were forced to surrender 15 extra power banks on the very first day of a new aviation safety rule that limits travellers to carrying only two power banks each on board flights. The updated restriction officially came into effect on April 15, and airport authorities immediately began enforcement across all major terminals.

According to Changi Airport Group, screening checks were carried out at the boarding gate security points in Terminals 1, 2, and 3, while similar checks in Terminal 4 were conducted after the immigration departure area. During inspections conducted between 3 PM and midnight, officials identified passengers carrying more than the permitted number of battery packs and instructed them to remove the excess units from their cabin baggage before boarding. The surrendered devices were then safely disposed of as per airport safety procedures.

Airport authorities said the checks covered around 275 departing flights in a single day, highlighting the large-scale implementation of the new rule. The move follows updated international aviation safety requirements linked to the risks posed by lithium-ion batteries, which can overheat, short-circuit, or even catch fire during flights if damaged or improperly stored.

Under the revised guidelines, travellers leaving Singapore are now allowed to carry a maximum of two power banks per person, including standard portable chargers below 100Wh. Devices rated between 100Wh and 160Wh are still allowed only with airline approval, while anything above that limit remains prohibited. In addition, passengers are also not allowed to charge power banks during the flight or use them to charge other devices onboard.

Before this rule change, passengers could carry up to 20 smaller-capacity power banks, making the new policy significantly stricter. The rule is part of a broader global aviation safety update aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

Travellers flying from Singapore are now being advised to double-check their cabin baggage before arriving at the airport, as any extra power banks beyond the two-device limit will have to be discarded before boarding. The new rule is expected to improve in-flight fire safety and battery handling standards across all flights departing the country.