Turkey Introduces Penalty for Unbuckling Early on Planes

May 16, 2025, 8:56 am | Read time: 2 minutes

This is a scene often observed on flights: Even while the plane is still taxiing, some passengers are already unbuckling their seatbelts and standing in the aisle. The Turkish civil aviation authority is now taking action against this with new measures.

Travelers to Turkey should strictly adhere to the seatbelt requirement after landing. A new regulation from the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which took effect in early May, imposes fines on passengers who unbuckle or stand up before the plane has reached its parking position.

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Early Unbuckling Poses a Safety Risk

While the rule is generally known—after landing, passengers must remain buckled until the plane has come to a complete stop—the authority reports frequent violations: Many passengers unbuckle too early, stand up, enter the aisle, or open overhead compartments while the aircraft is still moving. This poses a risk to the safety and comfort of all passengers.

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According to the new regulation, airlines must explicitly and repeatedly inform passengers that leaving their seats is only permitted after the plane has come to a complete stop. Failure to comply may result in a report to the aviation authority—and a fine. The Turkish broadcaster “Halk TV” mentions a sum of around 60 euros, although the exact amount is not specified in the regulation itself.

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Cutting in Line Will Also Be Punished

Not only early unbuckling is penalized in Turkey: Anyone who cuts in line after the seatbelt signs are turned off while passengers in the front rows have not yet disembarked will face consequences. In such cases, airlines are instructed to announce over the loudspeaker: “Do not stand up or walk down the aisle until it is your turn to leave the plane.”

Airlines that do not implement these new instructions can also face administrative penalties. According to the aviation portal “Aerotelegraph,” Turkish Airlines has already issued corresponding instructions to its cabin crew.

With material from dpa

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