site.btaTurkish Airports Tighten Rules for Checking Passengers

Turkish airports are tightening their rules for checking passengers, the Turkish news site Internethaber reported.

The Turkish Parliament adopted late Thursday night amendments to the Civil Aviation Act, tightening procedures for checking passengers, the publication specified.

The new rules will be in line with the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention), which allows security officers to search passengers' belongings at the entrance to the terminal and at the entrance to the boarding area. This applies to both personal luggage and electronic devices.

If the passenger refuses to submit their belongings for inspection, they will not be allowed into the airport or the departure area. Prohibited items will be confiscated on the spot.

The amendments passed last night also introduce fines of between USD 620 and USD 15,600 if flight crews fail to notify authorities of on-board violations during a flight.