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This country will now fine you for standing up before the seatbelt sign is off

The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has just issued new regulations, and you could now be slapped with a €62 fee for standing up too soon

Liv Kelly
Written by
Liv Kelly
Writer, Time Out Travel
Seatbelt sign on aeroplane
Photograph: Shutterstock
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There are two types of people in this world – those who sit and wait patiently to disembark a flight in a calm, orderly fashion, and those who are on their feet and hauling down their overhead luggage as soon as the plane has touched the ground. 

If you fall into that second category, you could soon be slapped with a hefty fine when travelling in Türkiye. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has issued brand-new regulations to penalise passengers who stand up before the seatbelt sign is off. 

That’s right – no more frantic aisle hustling in Türkiye. The policy aims to prevent cabin crew from having to repeat safety announcements, as well as to improve passenger safety and the orderliness of arriving at the terminal.  

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Türkiye’s national carrier, Turkish Airlines, which flies to a whopping 131 different countries (more than any other operator in the world), will be the first to implement the new rule, but it applies to all airlines operating flights in and out of the country. 

The automated safety message that’s played once a flight has landed has already adopted a firmer tone, according to Travel Tomorrow, but passengers who still ignore it could be required to pay a €62 fine. 

Who will be responsible for issuing the fine? That’s not quite clear, but keep an eye on this page for all the latest on this story. 

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