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Civil Aviation Act 1990

Unruly passenger offences - Unruly passenger offences

65M: Non-compliance with seating and seatbelt instructions

You could also call this:

"You must follow seating and seatbelt rules on planes or you could be fined"

If you are on an aircraft, you must follow the instructions given by crew members, passenger information signs, or placards about sitting down and using seatbelts. This means you need to sit in a seat or lie in a berth when told to do so. You also need to fasten your seatbelt or safety harness and keep it fastened when instructed.

If you don't follow these instructions, you are breaking the law. If you are found guilty of not following these rules, you might have to pay a fine of up to $2,500.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM217132.

Topics:
Transport and travel > Air travel
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"Don't use electronic gadgets on planes when it's not allowed"

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65N: No smoking or vaping, or

"You can't smoke or vape on planes when told not to or when signs say no"

Part 5AUnruly passenger offences
Unruly passenger offences

65MNon-compliance with seating and seatbelt instructions

  1. Every person commits an offence who fails to comply with an instruction given by a crew member, passenger information signs, or placards to—

  2. occupy a seat or berth; and
    1. fasten and keep fastened about the person any installed safety belt or safety harness.

      1. Every person who commits an offence against subsection (1) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,500.

      Notes
      • Section 65M: inserted, on , by section 28 of the Civil Aviation Amendment Act 2004 (2004 No 8).
      • Section 65M(2): amended, on , by section 413 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 (2011 No 81).