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Tengrinews.kz – Several passengers on board a Pegasus Airlines flight were fined in Turkey for standing up and retrieving their luggage before the plane had come to a full stop, despite repeated warnings from the cabin crew.
The incident occurred on flight PC272 from Sofia to Istanbul (Sabiha Gökçen Airport) aboard a Boeing 737-800. As soon as the aircraft landed, several passengers stood up and began opening overhead compartments, ignoring both verbal and audio instructions from the flight attendants.
According to local media, the cabin crew attempted to bring the passengers under control, but some continued walking around the cabin. Police were called onboard, and administrative measures were taken against the offenders.
New safety rules
The fines come in response to recently updated aviation safety regulations issued by Turkey’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM). Under the new circular, passengers can now be fined for:
- Standing up before the aircraft comes to a complete stop
- Opening overhead bins before the seatbelt sign is turned off
- Ignoring instructions from flight attendants or the cockpit crew
"Recently, based on written and verbal complaints from passengers and results of inspections, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of cases where passengers stand up, block the aisle, or open luggage bins before the aircraft has fully stopped. These actions endanger not only the violators themselves but also other passengers and their belongings," the SHGM stated.
Airlines are now required to make additional announcements after landing, clearly stating that passengers must remain seated until the seatbelt sign is turned off. Pegasus Airlines confirmed that their crew strictly follows protocol designed to minimize risks.
Although the exact amount of the fines has not yet been fixed in law, airlines emphasize that the penalties are being enforced under existing aviation legislation.
What about Kazakhstan?
According to Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Transport, no new fines are currently being considered for such behavior. However, current aviation law already allows for consequences.
"If a passenger fails to comply with orders from the captain or crew members, the pilot-in-command is authorized to document the incident and call airport police to initiate administrative procedures," the ministry's press service told Tengrinews.
The Department of Transport Police also confirmed that no cases of fines for standing up too early have been registered in Kazakhstan so far.
Why it matters
Experts stress that standing up before a plane fully stops can be dangerous:
- Sudden braking: Even after landing, the plane continues moving, and a quick stop can cause standing passengers to fall
- Obstruction: People walking around can block the crew and emergency exits
- Falling items: Opening overhead bins too early can result in luggage falling and injuring others
As aviation authorities in Turkey continue to crack down on in-flight violations, the message is clear: safety protocols are not optional.
