Air passengers in Turkiye who unbuckle their seatbelts and step out into the aisle too early after a plane lands now face fines under new regulation issued by the country’s aviation authority.

The new law, which came into effect at the beginning of May, is an effort to clamp down on passengers trying to beat the queues to get off the plane by unbuckling, grabbing their bags and making for the exit before the captain turns off the seat belt sign.

The directorate general of Turkiye’s civil aviation authority says they have received complaints of people breaking this rule and confirmed in onboard inspections that many passengers are not complying.

The regulation itself does not specify the amount of the fine, but Turkish broadcaster Halk TV reports that it is 2,603 lira (RM286).

Aviation law in many countries forbids passengers from unbuckling and getting up while the fasten seatbelt sign is on – even after landing and when plane is safely taxiing to the gate. But in practice fines are mostly applied for passengers who disturb the peace or smoke in the toilet.

Under Turkiye’s new law, a fine may also be imposed if passengers push towards the exit after the seatbelt sign is turned off, even though passengers in the rows ahead of them are not yet ready.

Airlines are therefore instructed to make the following announcement: “Do not stand up or walk down the aisle until it is your turn to leave the aircraft.”

Airlines that fail to implement these requirements may also face administrative penalties.

Turkish Airlines has already sent relevant information to its flight attendants, Turkish media have reported. – dpa