British holidaymakers arriving in Turkey should be prepared to remain seated until their designated disembarkation time or face a $70 (£53) fine, a new regulation introduced by the Turkish civil aviation authority. This rule is designed to prevent premature standing and early attempts to exit the aircraft, aiming to ensure passenger safety and orderly disembarkation.
Despite the seatbelt sign being turned off upon landing, passengers are required to stay seated until the plane has come to a complete stop and the crew authorizes disembarkation. The German DPA news agency reports that airlines must remind travellers to keep their seatbelts fastened both during and after landing until the aircraft is parked, making it clear any violations will be reported to authorities and fines enforced.
This development serves as a reminder for tourists to exercise patience while the plane taxis to the terminal, avoiding the common impulse to stand and line aisles prematurely.
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Additionally, travellers should be cautious with duty-free purchases during connecting flights. Simon Hood, travel expert and executive director of John Mason International, highlights risks associated with opening duty-free bags too early or losing receipts. In countries with stricter airport security like Australia and Japan, breaking the seal or missing proof of purchase can lead to confiscation of duty-free items.
Hood recommends keeping duty-free purchases sealed until reaching the final destination to prevent complications, especially on the increasingly popular self-connecting flights. Last year, over 55 million tourists used self-connecting flights, a number expected to grow, underscoring the importance of adhering to regulations to ensure smooth travel.