Turkish airline tightens rules: fines for overzealous passengers!

Turkish airline tightens rules: fines for overzealous passengers!

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has recently taken measures to improve aviation safety. These new regulations apply not only to tourists, but also to domestic passengers. The first airline to implement these regulations is Turkish Airlines. The new regulations, which came into force at the beginning of May 2025, aim to prevent accidents and injuries during flights.

The regulations state that passengers must observe the seat belt sign throughout the flight. Especially after landing, passengers must remain strapped in until the aircraft comes to a complete stop. Anyone who ignores this and takes off their seatbelt too early or stands up in the aisle risks a fine, the exact amount of which is currently unknown, but could reportedly be around 60 euros.

Safety concerns in focus

The background to this strictness is security concerns. Injuries can occur during sudden braking or lifting luggage if passengers are not properly restrained. Complaints and inspections have shown that many passengers ignore the rules. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority would like to counteract this trend through stricter measures.

The airlines are now obliged to clearly emphasize the requirement to wear seat belts during and after landing and to inform passengers that violations can be punished with sanctions. Turkish Airlines has already passed on relevant information to its flight attendants so that they can raise the necessary awareness of the new regulations among passengers.

Public opinion

A survey of over 19,000 users shows that 78 percent of respondents feel the measures are justified, while 16 percent see them as excessive. Six percent of participants are undecided. Despite the skepticism of some passengers, authorities have made it clear that compliance with these regulations is crucial to the safety of flight operations. Anyone who violates the regulations as an “irregularly traveling passenger” can be reported by the crew, which can lead to further legal consequences.

Given the increasing number of complaints and the threat of fines, authorities hope that the new regulation will contribute to a safer travel experience and make passengers aware of the importance of adhering to safety instructions throughout the flight.

Further information on the new regulations can be found in the articles from Schwäbische.de and n-tv.de to find.