The Civil Aviation Authority of Colombia (Aerocivil) has prohibited the use and recharging of devices via power banks during all phases of domestic and international flights. Aerocivil imposed drastic restrictions on lithium batteries for flights. This technical provision arises following the implementation of Addendum I to Document 9284 of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), 2025-2026 edition. The measure aims to prevent fires in the passenger cabin caused by overheating lithium cells.
Travelers are restricted from supplying power to any electronic equipment from their portable chargers. Consequently, flight crews will monitor that these devices remain disconnected and in a sleep state throughout the journey. Users must ensure that their energy accumulators travel exclusively in carry-on baggage.
Maximum capacity of 100 watt-hours for personal devices
The new operational guidelines establish strict power limits to ensure thermal stability during air transport. Passengers may carry batteries with a maximum capacity of 100 Wh without the need to report them. However, units that exceed this range and reach up to 160 Wh require express approval from the airline.
Similarly, any component exceeding 160 Wh is strictly prohibited on commercial flights due to its high energy density. In fact, airport authorities are authorized to confiscate devices that exceed this regulation.
Regulatory background and unit limits per traveler
The rules implemented by Aerocivil on March 27, 2026, consolidated the transport restrictions that the entity had been developing in previous years. Current regulations limit the number of batteries each passenger can carry in the cabin to two units. Furthermore, the 2024 provisions on technical packaging now serve as the basis for rigorous inspection at security checkpoints.
Simultaneously, portable video game consoles and small recreational drones must comply with these security requirements for personnel to authorize their entry. It is worth noting that the prohibition of sending these items to the cargo hold remains a fundamental pillar of aviation safety. Indeed, quick access to a burning device within the cabin allows for a much more effective emergency response.
Mandatory protection against short circuits in carry-on baggage
The regulation requires users to protect each additional battery individually to avoid accidental contact between their electrical poles. Passengers must keep these products in their original packaging or isolate them in sturdy plastic bags to prevent sparks from igniting. Consequently, using electrical tape over the metal connectors constitutes a good preventive measure.
Subsequently, airlines will update their boarding protocols to inform travelers about the risks of spontaneous ignition of these cells. Fines for attempting to transport these materials in the cargo hold could reach 5,000,000 pesos (approx. US$1,300), depending on the severity of the generated risk.
Aerocivil imposed drastic restrictions on lithium batteries for flights with a background in Asia
Colombia adopted these restrictive measures to harmonize its airspace with the security trends of countries such as Japan and South Korea. This decision responds to critical incidents, such as a battery fire at Busan Airport on Jan. 30, 2025. Moreover, the increasing capacity of modern power banks forces authorities to tighten oversight of their thermal behavior.
Travelers should consider the capacity of the most frequent equipment to avoid technical inconveniences:
- Smartphone: 12 Wh.
- Tablet: 30 Wh.
- Standard Laptop: 65 Wh.
- Portable game console: 16 Wh.
- E-reader: 10 Wh.
- Photo camera: 14 Wh.
- Professional video camera: 95 Wh.
- Recreational drone: 25 Wh.
- Professional drone: 89 Wh.
Meanwhile, airline personnel must receive intensive training on the new ICAO Addendum I to manage potential crises at high altitudes. Aerocivil will maintain constant inspection at all terminals in the country to ensure that no device puts the lives of passengers at risk.