Turkey has introduced fines targeting “aisle lice”—passengers who stand up or crowd the aisle before the aircraft has come to a complete stop. The Turkish Directorate General of Civil Aviation announced that violators will be fined up to 2,603 Turkish lira (approximately $67) for actions such as unfastening seatbelts prematurely, opening overhead bins too early, or advancing in the aisle before their row is called.
This measure aims to enhance passenger safety and ensure an orderly deplaning process. Cabin crews are now instructed to issue warnings and report non-compliant passengers. The directive specifies that passengers must remain seated with seatbelts fastened until the aircraft has fully parked and the seatbelt sign is turned off.
The regulation applies to all airlines operating in Turkey, including Turkish Airlines, which has already informed its flight attendants of the new rules. Passengers are strictly forbidden from opening overhead lockers or standing in the aisle before it is their turn to disembark.
The move comes amid a noted increase in such behaviors, which authorities say compromise passenger safety and delay the disembarking process. The Turkish Civil Aviation Authority has received complaints about people violating this rule and confirmed in onboard inspections that many passengers are not adhering to it.
While similar behaviors are discouraged under U.S. Federal Aviation Administration regulations, enforcement is typically limited to when seatbelt signs are active. In contrast, Turkey’s new policy imposes direct financial penalties to reinforce proper conduct onboard.
