Iraq’s airport power bank ban

The impressive wingspan of an Iraqi eagle.

One of the things we love about Iraq is how unique it always is, but the ongoing power bank ban on departing flights is a “world first” we’d rather not have to endure, as it’s extremely inconvenient.

What this ban basically means is that you can fly into Iraq with your power bank but you won’t be flying out with it. For example, if you’re leaving from Baghdad International Airport, at the first security scan in the actual terminal building, it will be taken from you. If you have two, they will both be taken from you. And the ban extends to hand luggage. That power bank is just not leaving with you.

We know it’s internationally unusual but this is a current Iraqi Civil Aviation Authority regulation so there’s no way round it. And, although the ban has been in place for almost a year, many of us (Iraqis included) still forget and end up surrendering one of our most essential travel companions onto the pile that builds up throughout the day (or night).

If you are planning on returning soon you can leave your contact details with your power bank but there’s no guarantee you’ll get it back. Unfortunately, some of the higher end ones do seem to go missing.

So you may prefer to gift your expensive power bank to your favourite Iraqi rather than leave it to an uncertain fate at an Iraqi airport.

Anyway, until the ban is lifted - which will hopefully be soon - don’t get caught out. Fully charge all your devices before heading to the airport and keep a plug and charger cable handy, as you may be able to grab some charge before you fly, or during transit (although don’t forget your transit airport might require a two-pin not three-pin plug).   

Update: As per flying experiences in mid-November, It looks like this restriction has finally been lifted.

Note: Although this restriction is technically country-wide, it is sometimes flouted in Erbil, with some (at least international) visitors being allowed to take their power banks onto departing flights, with the instruction not to use them on board. There’s no guarantee of this, of course.