The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently confirmed that many air travelers fail to realize that defying the crew’s instructions not only puts everyone’s safety at risk but also poses a significant liability for airlines.
IATA figures indicate an increase in the rate of reported unruly passenger incidents.
Based on over 24,500 incident reports from more than 50 operators globally, there was one incident for every 480 flights in 2023, compared to one incident for every 568 flights in 2022.
To address one aspect of these concerns, the Türkiye Cumhuriyeti issued a warning on May 6, 2025, stating that potential disciplinary action may be taken against airline passengers who stand up before the plane has come to a complete stop and the seatbelt sign has been turned off.
The “Passenger Announcements Circular” No. UOD – 2025/01 empowers Turkish Airlines, the country’s flag carrier, to impose fines on violators of around $70 per violation.
In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is responsible for ensuring the safety of air travel.
As of June 19, 2025, TSA regulations are designed to protect passengers and airline staff by minimizing potential threats at airports and on flights.
