Japan to ban in-flight use of power banks from mid-April
Mar 1st 2026
Japan’s transport ministry will limit passengers to two spare batteries including power banks and ban onboard charging and use of power banks starting in mid-April, following a string of battery fires and expected international rule changes.
- New rule takes effect in mid-April after a public comment period that opened on Feb 27.
- Passengers will be limited to two spare batteries total, including power banks.
- Power banks over 160 watt-hours remain banned and all passengers will be capped at two power banks regardless of capacity.
- Charging power banks onboard will be prohibited and airlines will be advised to discourage in-flight use.
- The change anticipates new International Civil Aviation Organization rules expected as early as March.
- The move follows several battery incidents, including a January Air Busan power bank fire that half-destroyed a jet and injured 27 people, and recent fires or smoke events on flights to Haneda.