Airline Travelers Penalized in Turkey for Prematurely Standing on Pegasus Aircraft Journey from Sofia
In a bid to reinforce compliance with safety regulations onboard Turkish Airlines flights, new measures have been introduced to curb unruly behaviour. These measures come after a growing trend of passengers breaking basic safety rules, as reported by Turkey's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a recent circular.
One incident that drew attention was flight PC272, where footage captured by HavaSosyalMedya showed at least three female passengers standing in the aisle despite repeated requests from the cabin crew to sit down.
The new enforcement approach involves cabin crew first issuing verbal warnings to unruly passengers. If passengers do not comply, airlines are now empowered to impose fines or other penalties. This disciplinary action aims to maintain safety and order onboard, reflecting a more assertive stance by Turkish airlines and regulators on managing disruptive behaviour.
The practical application of these fines was demonstrated on a Pegasus Airlines flight from Sofia to Istanbul, where several passengers were fined by the Turkish police for standing up before the aircraft engines had come to a complete stop. The DGCA has reported an increase in incidents involving passengers attempting to smoke or move about the cabin before it is safe.
Turkish Airlines has also begun enforcing penalties on passengers who do not comply with safety instructions. On domestic routes, several passengers have already been fined under the updated enforcement policy. The cabin crew makes announcements in both Turkish and English, urging passengers to remain seated until the engines are fully shut off, a standard aviation safety rule.
In response to the increase in incidents, the DGCA has requested that in-flight announcements be updated and made clearer. The circular aims to curb unruly behaviour onboard Turkish flights and, in addition to fines, could result in blacklisting by up to 25 airlines for repeat offenders.
The new measures on Turkish Airlines flights are part of a global trend towards stricter enforcement of safety regulations on aircraft. Enforcement of penalties for unruly behaviour typically involves cabin crew intervention, potential involvement of law enforcement upon landing, and fines or bans on future travel.
These new measures underscore Turkish airlines' commitment to passenger safety and the DGCA's efforts to ensure compliance with safety regulations onboard flights. As more incidents of unruly behaviour are reported, it is expected that these measures will continue to evolve and be strengthened to maintain a safe and orderly environment for all passengers.
- Turkish airlines are imposing fines on passengers who do not comply with safety instructions, such as refusing to sit down in the aisle, even on domestic routes.
- The Turkish Lira could potentially be used as the currency for these fines, as the DGCA, in a bid to curb unruly behavior onboard Turkish flights, has hinted at blacklisting repeat offenders across multiple airlines, including those within Turkeykiye.
- The enforcement of these safety regulations extends beyond Turkish Airlines, as shown in an incident on a Pegasus Airlines flight from Sofia to Istanbul, where passengers were fined by Turkish police for standing up before the aircraft engines had stopped.
- With the rising incidents of unruly behavior, a lifestyle shift among travelers, including sports enthusiasts, may be necessary, adopting respect for safety regulations as a priority while on flights, ensuring a safe and orderly environment for all passengers.
