31/05/2025
If you're one of those flyers who stands up as soon as the plane lands, think twice before doing so in Turkish territory.
The Turkish Directorate of Civil Aviation now requires commercial airlines to update their in-flight announcements, noting that such behavior will be monitored and recorded, which could result in penalties of up to 2,603 Turkish lira or PHP3,693.
Other fineable offenses include unfastening seatbelts while the plane is still taxiing or opening overhead bins before the aircraft has been parked.
Turkish authorities said the updated policy aims to promote safety and ensure a smoother disembarkation process.
Turkish Airlines, the national carrier, has updated its landing announcement to the following:
“Dear passengers, our aircraft has not yet reached its parking position. Please do not unfasten your seatbelt, stand up, or open the overhead compartments until the seatbelt sign has been switched off. It is strictly forbidden to stand up, open overhead compartments, or be present in the aisle before the aircraft has reached its parking position and the seatbelt sign has been turned off.
After the aircraft reaches the parking position and the seatbelt sign is turned off, please respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you and wait for your turn. Do not stand up or proceed in the aisle before it is your turn to exit.
Passengers who do not to 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.”
It has yet to be announced when the new policy will be implemented.
Sources: BBC, Newsweek, New York Post, Washington Post
