Turkey to Fine Airline Passengers Who Stand Before the Seatbelt Sign Is Turned Off
With reports stating fines of up to $70 USD.
Summary
- Turkey will now fine airline passengers who unbuckle or stand before the plane fully stops
- Fines up to $70 USD are possible, and airlines must update their in-flight warnings
- The new regulations aim to improve safety, spurred by passenger complaints
Turkey will now fine airline passengers who get up from their seats before the aircraft stops, as per AP.
The new regulations took effect earlier this month, and state that passengers must wait until the aircraft reaches the gate or comes to a full stop. Those who unbuckle, stand in aisles or open the overhead compartments prior will be slapped with a fine. While the exact amount was not specified by the civil aviation directorate, Turkish media suggest that rule-breakers could face penalties of up to $70 USD.
In addition to the fines, commercial flights operating in Turkey must update their in-flight announcements. Passengers must now be explicitly warned to stay seated with seatbelts fastened until the aircraft reaches its final stopping point, and that violators will be documented and reported. The announcement will also encourage passengers to allow those seated in the rows up front to exit first.
The country’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines, has already updated its in-flight announcement. “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 the applicable legal regulations,” the airline announcement says, as per Euronews.
Turkey’s civil aviation authority revealed that the move was spurred by passenger complaints and safety concerns.
AP adds that there have been no immediate reports of fines or enforcement actions.
