Turkey’s Civil Aviation Authority Imposes Fines Up to $70 for Passengers Standing Before Disembarking

To enhance in-flight safety and promote orderly disembarkation, Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced new regulations effective May 2, 2025, targeting passengers who stand up, unbuckle their seatbelts, access overhead compartments, or crowd the aisles before the aircraft has fully stopped taxiing. This initiative addresses growing concerns over safety violations and chaotic disembarkation, particularly at busy Turkish airports, as reported by the DGCA following passenger complaints and flight inspections.

The regulation, grounded in Article 143 of the Turkish Civil Aviation Law No. 2920, stipulates that passengers must remain seated with seatbelts fastened until the aircraft reaches its final parking position and the seatbelt sign is turned off. Additionally, passengers are required to wait for their row to be called before disembarking, respecting the priority of those in rows ahead. Violators face an administrative fine of up to 2,603 Turkish lira (approximately $67-$70 USD, or £50-£53 GBP, depending on exchange rates), with airlines mandated to report non-compliance through a Disruptive Passenger Report.

The DGCA, led by Director General Kemal Yüksek, has cited a “significant increase” in passengers disregarding safety protocols, which compromises both passenger and baggage safety and disrupts the satisfaction and exit priority of others. Behaviors such as standing during taxiing, opening overhead bins prematurely, or moving into the aisle before one’s turn are now explicitly penalized. Turkish Airlines, operating nearly 400,000 flights annually to 131 countries, has already updated its in-flight announcements to warn passengers of these penalties, as have other carriers operating in Turkey.

This crackdown comes as Turkey, a top global tourism destination attracting 16 million visitors yearly, seeks to manage the challenges of crowded airports and ensure smoother operations during peak travel seasons. The regulation applies to all commercial flights landing in Turkey, regardless of the carrier or flight class. Cabin crew are now tasked with documenting violations, adding to their responsibilities during arrival preparations.

Travel experts warn that the fines could particularly impact impatient travelers, including those rushing for tight connecting flights. British tourists, who numbered 3.7 million in Turkey in 2023, are among those urged to exercise caution to avoid unexpected penalties. The DGCA emphasizes that premature standing not only risks injuries from sudden aircraft movements but also delays disembarkation, especially when passengers are transferred via bus from the tarmac to the terminal.

To comply, airlines must now include explicit warnings in their in-flight announcements, reminding passengers to remain seated until the aircraft is parked and to follow row-by-row disembarkation protocols. Failure to adhere to these rules could result in immediate fines, enforced on the spot by authorities. Travelers are advised to stay seated, keep seatbelts fastened until instructed otherwise, and follow crew directives to avoid costly penalties and ensure a safer, more orderly travel experience.

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