Turkey's civil aviation authority has reacted to a significant rise in passenger complaints by enforcing fines for those who stand up before the seatbelt sign is turned off after landing. Effective earlier this month, this new regulation mandates that violations can result in fines reportedly around $70 (£50). Although the exact fine amount is not detailed in the official guidance issued by the authority, the reasoning behind the decision stems from a rise in incidents where passengers retrieved overhead baggage prior to the aircraft being fully parked.
The country, which attracts millions of tourists yearly, has seen an increase in these disruptive behaviors. As part of the new rules, airline companies must inform passengers during flights and report any offenders to the relevant authorities. The regulations state that passengers are required to keep their seatbelts fastened and refrain from standing or accessing overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign indicates it's safe to do so.
Turkish Airlines, the nation's flagship carrier, has updated its announcements to comply with this regulation, informing passengers that noncompliance will lead to a Disruptive Passenger Report filed with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, resulting in administrative fines according to applicable laws. The BBC has reached out to Turkish Airlines for additional comments on the new compliance measures.
