Airline passengers arriving on flights at Turkish airports now face a threat of fines for preparing to disembark their aircraft before it has safely parked at the terminal and the seat belt signs have been extinguished. This is the key element of a new regulation being imposed by the Turkish aviation authorities to keep passengers safe throughout their flight until the aircraft engines have been switched off at the airport of arrival.
According to Hürriyet Daily News, passengers in Turkey who unbuckle their seat belts, attempt to access overhead compartments, or occupy the aisle before their plane has fully stopped will now face fines under the new regulations issued by the country’s civil aviation authority.
The updated rules, which also have the intention of making aircraft disembarkation processes smoother for all and easier to manage for the cabin crew and airport staff, came into effect earlier in May 2025. The regulations were adopted following passenger complaints and flight inspections indicated a growing number of safety violations during taxiing after landing, according to the Turkish Directorate of Civil Aviation.
“Despite announcements informing passengers of the rules, many are standing up before the aircraft reaches its parking positions and before the seat belt sign is turned off,” the aviation authority commented. “This behavior compromises the safety of passengers and baggage, disregards the satisfaction and exit priority of other travelers,” it added.
As anyone who travels regularly by air will know, it is increasingly common for passengers to stand up, access overhead bins, or move around the cabin soon after the plane has landed. This often leads to scenes of chaos as the cabin crew struggle to contain increasing numbers of passengers engaging in the practice, causing a major safety hazard, and often, a prolonged and often chaotic disembarkation process.
Under the new regulations, commercial airlines operating flights landing in Turkey are required to issue a revised version of the standard in-flight announcement advising passengers to remain seated until the seat belt sign is turned off and warning that violations will be documented and reported, according to a circular issued by the aviation authority. Passengers are also reminded to wait for those in front of them to exit first instead of rushing forward or blocking the aisles.
No evidence of enforcement
However, despite the directives set out by the circular, there is no specific guidance as to how enforcement is to be carried out, or even how much passengers who disregard the regulations could be fined. Some Turkish media outlets have reported that fines of up to $70 will be imposed on offenders. However, so far, there has been no data published or other evidence suggesting that the new regulation is being enforced on a flight-by-flight basis.
Turkey is a popular travel destination, drawing millions of tourists and business travelers every year. The practice of passengers trying to disembark or at least, prepare to disembark before the aircraft has come to a full stop at the gate has become increasingly worse over recent years, with cabin crew struggling to contain the practice once the first passenger stands up and others follow, as the aircraft taxis towards its parking stand.
No doubt, other airlines and other aviation authorities will be watching closely to see how Turkey gets on with the introduction of this new regulation. They will be particularly keen to learn whether the widespread adoption of fines provides a suitable deterrent to the dangerous behavior of passengers standing up bore they should do so.
