Keypoints:
- Phones must be off during take-off, landing
- Airlines told to retrain staff for conflicts
- Safety drills set for Lagos, Abuja
NIGERIA’S aviation regulator has scrapped the long-standing ‘flight mode’ rule, insisting that passengers must now power off all phones and portable devices during take-off and landing.
Announcing the directive in Abuja, Capt Chris Najomo, acting director-general of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said compliance would be enforced without exception.
‘All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable devices should be switched off during the critical phases of flight. Switched off,’ Najomo stressed.
The order, reported by Nairametrics, replaces the previous guidance that allowed devices to remain in flight mode.
Incident sparks crackdown
The tougher rules come after an incident aboard an Ibom Air flight in which a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, allegedly refused to switch off her phone and clashed with a flight attendant. The confrontation has since become a flashpoint for what regulators describe as a worrying rise in unruly passenger conduct.
Najomo warned that passengers who ignore crew instructions would now face stricter consequences. ‘It will not be business as usual,’ he said.
Airlines under fresh scrutiny
The NCAA’s directive does not stop at passengers. Airlines are being ordered to revise their manuals immediately and ensure crew training includes conflict resolution.
‘Cabin crew must be ready to de-escalate tension while upholding safety rules,’ Najomo noted. ‘Operators will be held accountable if staff are not properly prepared.’
By placing equal responsibility on airlines, the regulator hopes to curb incidents before they spiral into public confrontations.
Public awareness and drills
To reinforce the new policy, the NCAA will launch public awareness campaigns on radio and television in the coming weeks. Travellers will be reminded of their obligations and the risks posed by non-compliance.
Meanwhile, mock drills will be staged in Lagos and Abuja next week to test how airlines handle disruptive passengers under the new guidelines. The exercises will form part of a nationwide enforcement plan.
Najomo said the regulator’s overriding aim is clear: ‘Our skies must remain safe, disciplined and professional. These rules are non-negotiable.’
A firmer line on safety
The NCAA’s clampdown reflects growing concerns across the aviation industry about disruptive behaviour and lax adherence to safety protocols. By mandating complete shutdown of electronic devices during critical flight phases, regulators hope to close loopholes and prevent future conflicts.
The message is direct: no phone use, no excuses.
