Latest news with #KemalYuksek
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Turkey to fine passengers who stand up too quickly before plane stops
"Despite announcements informing passengers of the rules, many are standing up before the aircraft reaches its parking positions and before the seat belt sign is turned off," the directorate said, as reported by the Associated Press. "This behavior compromises the safety of passengers and baggage, disregards the satisfaction and exit priority of other travelers." The exact fine amounts were not immediately known. According to a letter posted by Turkish Director General Kemal Yuksek at the beginning of 2025, Turkey has seen a significant increase in complaints regarding passengers who ignore flight crew instructions and leave their seats as the seatbelt sign is lit. The passengers stand in the aisle and open the overhead compartments before the plane has parked, Yusek wrote in the letter. The letter also included a sample announcement for flight crew to make upon arrival in the country, which stated in English: "It is strictly forbidden to stand up, open overhead compartments, or be present in the aisle before the aircraft has reached its parking position and the seatbelt sign has been turned off." The suggested announcement continues by telling passengers to wait for people in front of them to deboard before getting up. Passengers who don't comply risk being reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report, and their fine will be determined. Not only does disobeying the illuminated signs and flight crew orders to stay seated violate federal law in countries like the United States, but it also poses a safety concern if the plane is not parked. Experts say a taxiing plane takes significant power to make its maneuvers, and people standing up when they're not supposed to interfere with the pilot. Unruly passengers and worrying trends The International Air Transport Association found that there was one unruly passenger incident per 835 flights in 2021, with the most common types being ignoring crew instructions such as fastening seatbelts, verbal abuse, and intoxication. Though rare, the altercation turning into physical abuse increased by 65%, a statistic the organization called "worrying." In 2021, 5,973 incidents of unruly passengers were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration. That number has since declined, with 2,076 reports and $7.5 million in fines levied in 2023. In the United States, any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers faces up to $37,000 in civil penalties. "It seems like behaving angry and belligerent has become more acceptable in the last five to seven years," Jared Kenworthy, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Arlington, previously told USA TODAY. "It's just more acceptable to be pissed off and angry all the time. ... It may be because everybody's putting them on social media." As of May 25, there have been 637 reports of unruly passengers this year. Earlier this month, a passenger on Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways attempted to open the exit door mid-flight, according to authorities. And in March, officials said a man onboard a Delta Air Lines flight allegedly bit another passenger and hit others. Contributing: Zach Wichter and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY
USA Today
29-05-2025
- USA Today
Turkey to fine passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts before plane stops
Turkey to fine passengers who unbuckle their seatbelts before plane stops Show Caption Hide Caption New United Airlines policy means you may need to arrive earlier A new United Airlines policy will require passengers without checked bags to arrive at least 45 minutes before their flight. Most air travelers have experienced the irritating chore once a plane lands — the unbuckling of seatbelts and standing in the aisle to beeline out the door. One country is now taking a bold effort to stop the air travel nuisance. Turkey can now fine impatient passengers who unfasten their seatbelts or stand up before the plane has parked at the gate, according to new rules posted by officials earlier this month. The new rules will also fine all incoming passengers who smoke tobacco products or stand while the plane is still taxiing, according to the Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation. "Despite announcements informing passengers of the rules, many are standing up before the aircraft reaches its parking positions and before the seat belt sign is turned off," the directorate said, as reported by the Associated Press. "This behavior compromises the safety of passengers and baggage, disregards the satisfaction and exit priority of other travelers." The exact fine amounts were not immediately known. According to a letter posted by Turkish Director General Kemal Yuksek at the beginning of 2025, Turkey has seen a significant increase in complaints regarding passengers who ignore flight crew instructions and leave their seats as the seatbelt sign is lit. The passengers stand in the aisle and open the overhead compartments before the plane has parked, Yusek wrote in the letter. The letter also included a sample announcement for flight crew to make upon arrival in the country, which stated in English: "It is strictly forbidden to stand up, open overhead compartments, or be present in the aisle before the aircraft has reached its parking position and the seatbelt sign has been turned off." The suggested announcement continues by telling passengers to wait for people in front of them to deboard before getting up. Passengers who don't comply risk being reported to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation through a Disruptive Passenger Report, and their fine will be determined. Not only does disobeying the illuminated signs and flight crew orders to stay seated violate federal law in countries like the United States, but it also poses a safety concern if the plane is not parked. Experts say a taxiing plane takes significant power to make its maneuvers, and people standing up when they're not supposed to interfere with the pilot. Unruly passengers and worrying trends The International Air Transport Association found that there was one unruly passenger incident per 835 flights in 2021, with the most common types being ignoring crew instructions such as fastening seatbelts, verbal abuse, and intoxication. Though rare, the altercation turning into physical abuse increased by 65%, a statistic the organization called "worrying." In 2021, 5,973 incidents of unruly passengers were reported to the Federal Aviation Administration. That number has since declined, with 2,076 reports and $7.5 million in fines levied in 2023. In the United States, any passenger who assaults, threatens, intimidates, or interferes with airline crewmembers faces up to $37,000 in civil penalties. "It seems like behaving angry and belligerent has become more acceptable in the last five to seven years," Jared Kenworthy, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas, Arlington, previously told USA TODAY. "It's just more acceptable to be pissed off and angry all the time. ... It may be because everybody's putting them on social media." As of May 25, there have been 637 reports of unruly passengers this year. Earlier this month, a passenger on Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways attempted to open the exit door mid-flight, according to authorities. And in March, officials said a man onboard a Delta Air Lines flight allegedly bit another passenger and hit others. Contributing: Zach Wichter and Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY
NDTV
28-05-2025
- Business
- NDTV
This Country Fines Impatient Airplane Passengers For Standing Up Too Early
In a move to enhance in-flight safety and order, Turkish aviation authorities have introduced fines for passengers who stand up or unbuckle their seatbelts before the aircraft has come to a complete stop. The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation mandates that such infractions, including crowding the aisles prematurely or opening overhead bins too early, can result in fines up to 2,603 Turkish lira (approximately $67). Airlines are now required to update in-flight announcements to inform passengers of these penalties, aiming to reduce safety risks and ensure a more orderly deplaning process. The new regulations reflect growing concerns over passenger behavior during taxiing and the importance of adhering to safety protocols. Director General Kemal Yuksek instructed cabin crews for planes landing in Turkey to issue warnings that passengers who do not "respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you" will be reported to the authority and "an administrative fine will be imposed in accordance with the applicable legal regulations." According to The Washington Post, this includes unfastening seat belts, standing up, opening the overhead compartments or crowding the aisle while the plane is still taxiing to the gate, but also standing up or proceeding into the aisle before the row's turn to exit, the directive states. Yuksek noted in the circular that there has been a significant increase in reports of such behavior, which risks "passenger and baggage safety and security" and disregards "the satisfaction and exit priority" of other passengers. According to The New York Post, under the rules, passengers must wait until the deplaning process has reached their row before they can stand up to gather their belongings and proceed off the plane. The fines were imposed after notable increase in passengers crowding airplane aisles, the notice said, explaining that the behavior poses a risk to "passenger and baggage safety and security" along with affecting the "the satisfaction and exit priority" of others. Crowding the aisles is technically against Federal Aviation Administration code in the United States, too, with regulations requiring flight attendants to alert the captain if passengers are getting to their feet before the plane is parked. But those rules only apply while the plane's seatbelt signs are turned on, and do not apply after they've been switched off.
NDTV
28-05-2025
- NDTV
In This Country, Fliers Who Stand Up Too Soon After Landing Will Be Fined
New Delhi: If you are travelling to Turkey, avoid getting up immediately after the plane lands. It might cost you money. Fliers who throng the aisle before their row is called or get up before an aircraft has come to a halt will now be subject to fines in Turkey, the authorities said. The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) published a circular outlining the new regulations to reduce dangerous and disruptive passenger behaviour while deplaning, The Washington Post reported. Although the amount of the penalty is not specified in the circular, Turkish network Halk TV stated that it might be roughly 2,603 Turkish lira, or 67 USD (approximately Rs 5,700). After arrival, passengers were required to stay seated until it was their turn to evacuate. According to Director General Kemal Yuksek, there has been a "significant increase" in instances where travellers violate safety procedures. These endanger "passenger and baggage safety and security" and interfere with other travellers' ability to leave. This includes standing up, unbuckling seat belts, opening overhead bins, and clogging the aisle while the aircraft is still taxiing to the gate, as well as standing up or moving into the aisle before the row's turn to leave. Mr Yuksek directed cabin crews on aircraft arriving in Turkey to warn passengers that failure to "respect the disembarkation priority of the passengers in front of or around you" would result in a report to the appropriate authorities. The new regulations require passengers to stay seated and buckled up until the plane has completely parked and their row is called to disembark. Fines can also be imposed for violations like opening overhead bins or unfastening seatbelts while taxiing. Although these regulations have been formalised in Turkey, similar issues exist worldwide. Some airports in the United States have implemented features to prevent overcrowding at gates. These measures include sirens that activate when boarding passes are scanned before the zone is called. According to Federal Aviation Administration regulations, passengers are also not allowed to stand until the plane has parked, and flight attendants must notify the captain if passengers get up from their seats too soon. People who rush to the aisle are reprimanded for being rude and impatient. Except for letting those through who have close connections, etiquette experts advise passengers to wait for the seats ahead of them to leave before entering the aisle.
