Penalties in civil aviation are increasing: Smoking on board will cost you, record fines for laser pointers aimed at aircraft

Administrative fines for rule violations in civil aviation have been updated for 2026 based on the revaluation rate. With a 25.49 percent increase, the fine for smoking on an aircraft will exceed 24 thousand Turkish Liras, while those who point lasers at aircraft and pilots who intentionally endanger flight safety will face fines of over 164 thousand Turkish Liras.

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

Penalties in civil aviation are increasing: Smoking on board will cost you, record fines for laser pointers aimed at aircraft

The 2026 communiqué regarding administrative fines to be applied for violations detected in civil aviation activities by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (SHGM) has been published in the Official Gazette.

In the regulation, which will be effective as of January 1, 2026, the revaluation rate has been set at 25.49 percent. Accordingly, some of the administrative fines to be applied to those acting in violation of Articles 143 and 144 of the Turkish Civil Aviation Law No. 2920 are listed as follows:

(For pilots) Intentionally endangering flight safety: 164 thousand 613 TL

(For pilots) Conducting flights without obtaining flight permission or without filing a flight plan: 164 thousand 613 TL

(For UAV pilots or individuals) Failure to comply with flight permit conditions or conducting flights in restricted areas: 98 thousand 762 TL

SMOKING ON BOARD WILL COST YOU

(For passengers) Use of smoke-emitting products or cigarettes inside the aircraft: 24 thousand 681 TL

(For passengers) Failure to turn off electronic devices, failure to sit in one's seat, failure to fasten seatbelts, failure to close overhead bins, continuing to argue with other passengers or cabin crew, obstructing the performance of duties, insulting, or failing to comply with instructions despite warnings from cabin crew: 24 thousand 681 TL

Cheating on theoretical knowledge exams conducted by the SHGM: 24 thousand 681 TL

HEAVY PENALTIES FOR POINTING LASERS AT AIRCRAFT

Improper use of airport entry cards: 16 thousand 460 TL

Pointing lasers at aircraft in a way that endangers flight safety, interfering with aircraft communications, or similar violations: 164 thousand 613 TL

Resisting screening or manual searches despite warnings at security checkpoints, or obstructing security personnel from performing their duties: 32 thousand 911 TL

Unauthorized entry into areas with security restrictions or assisting unauthorized persons in entering these areas: 32 thousand 911 TL

News Source: 12punto