Turkey introduces a law requiring passengers to stay seated until aircraft fully stops, aiming to improve safety and order.
New Rule Aims to Prevent Onboard Chaos
The Turkish government has implemented new aviation regulations to curb the common problem of passengers springing up as soon as a plane lands. This rule, enforced from early May 2025, mandates that all passengers remain seated with their seat belts fastened until the aircraft comes to a full halt at its designated parking spot and the seatbelt sign turns off.
Passengers are strictly prohibited from unbuckling their belts, accessing overhead bins, or crowding the aisle during taxiing. Airlines are now required to revise in-flight announcements to reinforce this rule, and violations will be logged.
Violations May Lead to Fines
Breaking this protocol qualifies as disruptive passenger behavior, potentially resulting in a fine of up to USD 70 (around ₹6,000), as reported by Turkish media. While the exact fine amount hasn’t been officially confirmed, Turkish authorities are stressing zero tolerance for non-compliance.
Cabin crew are now responsible for enforcing the rules, making post-landing announcements, and reporting any misbehavior that could lead to administrative or legal actions.
Why the Rule Matters
The goal of this regulation is to reduce safety hazards like injuries from sudden braking, falling luggage, or blocked aisles. It also ensures a more streamlined and less chaotic disembarkation process.
Even though the rule is newly implemented, it signals Turkey’s intent to maintain in-flight discipline and passenger safety.
India Has Rules—But Are They Enough?
India’s DGCA already has laws to address “unruly passenger behavior,” with penalties including imprisonment. However, these mostly apply to harassment or verbal abuse. There’s no specific penalty yet for standing during taxiing or opening bins before the aircraft halts.
‘Are Those 10 Seconds Worth It?’
Passengers often jump out of their seats the second a plane lands—even when there’s no pressing reason. This behavior endangers safety and delays the exit process. While rushing to make a connecting flight is understandable, the routine scramble otherwise serves no purpose.
“Standing prematurely or moving during taxiing can lead to injuries from sudden stops or turbulence, falling baggage, and obstructed aisles—all of which compromise safety for both passengers and crew,” the article notes.
Indian Flyers and the Viral Problem
US filmmaker Adam Ellick highlighted this issue by sharing a video of Indian passengers ignoring crew requests and rushing for luggage while the plane was still taxiing. Captioning it “Classic landing in India,” the viral clip sparked debate online, with many Indians admitting it’s a common issue.
A Reddit post echoed this sentiment: “Why are Indian flyers so impatient? Every passenger wants to get up from the seat as soon as the plane lands… After that, they wait for many minutes, then deboard…”
The behavior has become so prevalent that it often causes crowding and discomfort. Despite the timing of Turkey‘s rule enforcement, authorities haven’t yet shared how many violators have been fined.
India Could Take Notes
Given India’s bustling aviation sector and frequent examples of such impatience, Turkish-style fines could help bring discipline on Indian flights. For now, it remains to be seen if DGCA will address this loophole in current passenger conduct rules.
