New strict hand luggage policy will affect half a million Brits from this week

Heading off on holiday soon? Don't get caught out by this new hand luggage change which comes into action this week.

Knowing what to take on holiday can be a chore in itself, as the rules are always changing.

First it was the bag sizes, then it was battery powered bags, now there's another change to be mindful of.

If you're heading to Singapore, you might need to repack your case, as authorities there are making a major change.

Metro reports that more than half a million Brits travel to Singapore each year, so this will impact a lot of people.

The new rule starts from this Wednesday, April 15, and means passengers can only bring a maximum of two power banks on board.

Singapore Airlines already banned the powerbanks last year (Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images)

Any extra power banks will need to be given up in order for you to board the plane, said the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)

CAAS is also stating that the power banks must not be charged onboard.

You also shouldn't use them to charge your items while in the air.

This isn't new to anyone who flies with Singapore Airlines, as they already banned them from March 2025.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation made a change on April 2, introducing the limit of two power banks per passenger, and it they are also banned in Japan.

As well as Singapore Airlines, Emirates went one step further and issued a blanket ban preventing passengers from using such power banks onboard back in october.

Lufthansa also issued a ban in January 2026.

Passengers will be limited to just two powerbanks when travelling to Singapore (Getty Stock)

CAAS says that the airports in Singapore and the airlines will be working together to 'implement the new requirements in a smooth and orderly manner’.

A Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore spokesperson said "CAAS will provide some time for the airlines to do so and for passengers to familiarise themselves and have the requirements take effect only from 15 April, 2026."

They added: "In the meantime, passenger service and security screening officers will be trained."

Foong Ling Huei, director of Flight Standards at CAAS, says "The new requirements will help reduce the risk of fire caused by power banks on board flights."

"We urge all passengers to familiarise themselves and comply with the new requirements, for their own safety and the safety of other passengers," they warned.

Lithium-ion batteries can be hugely dangerous onboard if they are damaged or misused.

If they overheat, they can explode or start a fire, which is the last thing you want in the air.

This risk is why the European Union Aviation Safety Agency tells you to put this in your hand luggage, rather than in cabin bags.

The National Institute of Technology and Evaluation in Japan, reported that portable battery chargers started a whopping 123 fires in 2024.