Air India Express video sparks debate: Why can’t you stand when the plane has already landed?

The video shared by Amitava Das on X captures passengers standing inside an Air India Express flight IX 1236 as it moved after landing. The pilot had landed the aircraft, but passengers remained standing, raising questions about safety protocols. Air India Express responded, stating that safety remains its top priority and operations follow all relevant safety procedures and regulations. The cabin crew is trained to ensure passenger safety throughout the journey.

During taxiing, a plane can still move, brake, turn or make sudden movements, making it unsafe for passengers to stand, especially during unexpected manoeuvres. Opening overhead bins also poses a risk as luggage could fall on passengers. Keeping passengers seated also ensures clear aisles for cabin crew to move quickly and respond to any unexpected situation.

The video sparked a debate on whether passengers should face stricter penalties for ignoring safety instructions during taxiing. In Turkey, passengers who stand or open overhead bins before an aircraft has come to a complete stop face fines of up to $70 (Dh255). Turkish airlines displayed these penalties in their landing announcements. However, standing during taxiing is not considered as severe as other forms of unruly behaviour, and the circumstances of each incident matter.

In the UAE, passengers standing or gathering in the aisle immediately after landing is not treated as seriously as other forms of unruly behaviour. However, the Air India Express video has reignited the question of whether stricter penalties for ignoring safety instructions during taxiing are necessary, or if better enforcement of existing rules is sufficient.