Planning a trip to Turkey? Don’t do this when your plane lands or expect a fine

Many travellers get anxious when their plan finally lands in their destination. Some might be in a hurry to connect with another flight, while others may have a connecting train ride or someone waiting for them at the terminal. 

Many start collecting their stuff and preparing to disembark as quickly as possible. And as soon as the plane hits the ground they switch of plane mode on their mobiles and start flicking through their messages, and as soon as the planes starts position itself for deboarding passengers, heads start popping up from behind the seats and bodies start populating the aisle even before the plane has come to a full stop.

Sometimes, the crew cabin staff voice over the PA system asking folks to calm down, sit down, and prepare for an orderly exit from the plane. Most do not listen; many others express dissent with gestures of disgust and anger. Others couldn’t care less and wait for the desperate ones to leave before they get up for a more peaceful descent.

Well, in Turkey, this disorderly conduct will come to an end, as airline passengers will be fined if they stand up before the seatbelts are turned off after landing, regulators have stated, according to a BBC report on Thursday.

Fines of about £50 (€59)

The decision follows complaints from passengers who are fed up with those who get up before they are supposed to, the BBC added, citing Turkish civil aviation authorities. The rules took effect earlier this month.

Turkish media reported that fines are approximately $70 (£50 or €59), although no specific amount is mentioned in the authority’s guidance. However, the authority warns that there has been a “serious increase” in such incidents, with numerous complaints about passengers grabbing overhead baggage before their plane has been parked. With the country receiving tens of millions of tourists each year, fines could represent a decent additional revenue stream.

The BBC reported that the aviation authority has explained that commercial airlines must now issue an in-flight announcement and report those who do not follow orders. Passengers must be told to keep their seatbelts fastened and refrain from standing and opening overhead lockers until the seatbelt sign is off.

“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,” Turkish Airlines told Euronews.