Türkiye to Fine Airline Passengers Who Unbuckle or Stand Before Plane Comes to a Complete Stop
ANKARA, Türkiye — Airline passengers traveling to or within Türkiye may now face fines if they unbuckle seat belts, stand up, or open overhead bins before their plane has come to a full stop, under new regulations issued by the country’s civil aviation authority.
The rules, introduced earlier this month by the Turkish Directorate of Civil Aviation, apply to all commercial flights operating in the country. Airlines are now required to update their in-flight announcements to clearly warn passengers that violations will be reported and could result in fines—reportedly up to $70 USD.
The crackdown comes amid increasing complaints and inspections revealing widespread noncompliance with basic post-landing safety rules, officials said.
“Despite announcements, many passengers stand up before the aircraft reaches its parking position and before the seat belt sign is turned off,” the directorate said. “This compromises passenger safety and disrupts orderly disembarkation.”
The rules also include reminders for passengers to allow those seated ahead to disembark first, part of the effort to reduce chaos during deplaning.
Unusual Enforcement Gets Global Attention
While most countries, including the U.S., require passengers to stay seated during taxiing, Türkiye’s move to issue monetary fines is drawing attention as an unusually strict approach to common—but dangerous—behavior.
So far, no fines have been reported, and airlines like Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines have not publicly commented on enforcement. But the regulation sends a clear message to so-called “aisle rushers” — passengers who jump up the moment a plane touches down — to sit tight until the aircraft is safely at the gate.
Why It Matters
Safety experts and aviation authorities warn that standing or moving during taxiing puts passengers at risk of injury, especially if the plane stops suddenly or hits turbulence while taxiing. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) similarly mandates that seat belts remain fastened during taxi, takeoff, and landing, but fines are rarely issued unless accompanied by other unruly behavior.
During the pandemic, agencies worldwide noted a spike in disruptive passengers, prompting tougher penalties in countries like the U.S., where fines can now reach up to $37,000 per incident.
“Listen to your flight attendants and follow crewmember instructions to get to your destination safely and to avoid unnecessary delay,” said Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA.
With millions of tourists visiting Türkiye each year, the new rule is a reminder that even small infractions can come with a cost—especially when safety is at stake.