British tourists travelling to one of the most popular holiday destinations risk being slapped with a substantial penalty for violating a strict and unusual new plane rule. In 2024, more than 4.4 million Brits visited Turkey, representing a significant increase of 16.6% compared to 2023.
This trend is set to continue into 2025, with tourism growth witnessed from both the UK and Germany. This comes in spite of the fact that Turkey is currently suffering from a scorching hot summer that has caused destructive wildfires and new curfew rules in Marmaris. However, even those seasonal travellers to Turkey should pay heed to a new law, as the nation has started to clamp down on impatient flyers who want to be the first off the plane.
The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority said in May it would begin issuing sanctions against those who unbuckle their seatbelts and leave their seats before the aircraft has completely halted.
“According to the regulation, airlines are obliged to remind passengers to fasten their seatbelts during and after landing until they reach the parking position and to explicitly point out that any infringement will be reported to the aviation authority, and a fine will be imposed,” the aviation authority announced.
Travellers who rush to grab their cabin baggage before the seatbelt signal has been switched off will now face a €62 (£53) penalty, the Mirror reports.
The new rules will also target those who move to the front of the plane without waiting in line. According to the SHGM, those who “move to the aisle after the seat belt light goes off before the passengers in the front seats exit” may also face penalties.
Turkish Airlines, Turkey’s national carrier, has reportedly revised its in-flight announcement to alert passengers about the hefty fine for prematurely unbuckling seatbelts. The airline’s message warns that those flouting the rules will be reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation via a Disruptive Passenger Report, followed by an “administrative fine” in line with “applicable legal regulations”.
It is not yet known whether other carriers will follow suit and implement similar cautions for flights arriving in Turkey.
The announcement has not been met with complete enthusiasm online, however. Some have expressed concerns that the new rule could exacerbate delays and prolong the disembarkation process.
“There are umpteen reasons why I have been put off flying – for good,” one complained. “This is just another one of them.” A second wrote: “I suspect airlines will start charging us to board first and leave first, just like they do with everything else.”