The Turkish civil aviation authority has implemented a new rule aimed at ensuring safety during landings, penalizing airline passengers who stand up before the seatbelt sign is turned off. This regulation was introduced following numerous complaints from passengers about safety violations during landings.
Reports indicate that fines may reach approximately $70 (£50), though the authority has not specified the exact penalty amounts in its official communications. The increase in such behavior has been described as serious by the aviation authority, particularly concerning passengers who rush to retrieve overhead baggage before the plane has come to a complete stop.
Turkey is known to attract millions of tourists annually, making travel safety a critical concern. To enforce the new regulation, commercial airlines will now be required to deliver in-flight announcements urging passengers to keep their seatbelts fastened and to refrain from standing or accessing overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign has been turned off.
The national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has responded by modifying its landing announcements to include a warning about potential consequences: "Passengers who do not comply with the rules will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report, and an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with applicable legal regulations," the announcement states.
The BBC has reached out to Turkish Airlines for further comments on the policy changes and their enforcement measures. As the airline industry continues to adapt to evolving safety standards, such measures reflect a growing emphasis on traveler compliance and overall aviation safety.
