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LAGOS – Following in the footsteps of Mr. Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the no-fly lifetime ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, the passenger of Ibom Air.
The operators also listed the numerous unruly behaviours among air travellers and called on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence the sensitisation of the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft to prevent recurrence.
These were contained in a statement on Thursday by Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the Spokesperson of AON.
Ms. Emmanson had gained the headlines early in the weekend following her conduct onboard Ibom Air Flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.
AON said that its decision to drop the no-fly lifetime ban on Emmanson followed the intervention by Keyamo, appeal by its members and the remorse shown by the lady after the ugly incident.
With the reactions created by the incident, AON believed that unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft would greatly reduce if passengers are aware that such behaviour posed a danger to flight safety and are offences under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both.
Therefore, AON called on the relevant aviation agencies to sensitise the public on the danger inherent in such an act and in accordance with the Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
The statement further listed unruly behaviour among air travellers to include assault, intimidation or threat to flight or cabin crew member.
It added that using a mobile phone and/or other communication/electronic gadget on board aircraft against the instruction of the pilot-in-command or flight crew or cabin crew also constituted unruly behaviour.
The body added: “Smoking on board aircraft or in a non-smoking area of the terminal building, fighting or other disorderly conduct on board an aircraft or at the terminal building, any conduct constituting a nuisance to other passengers.
“Disobedience of lawful instruction issued by the pilot-in-command, flight crew, cabin crew, check-in-staff and/or security screening staff, any conduct that endangers the safety of flight operations and tampering with smoke detectors or other aircraft equipment.”
AON also reiterated the power of the pilot-in-command or an Aviation Security (AVSEC) officer, as provided for in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, to restrain and de-board an unruly and disruptive passenger and to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the aircraft, among others.
AON promised that its members would cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats, proposed by the minister on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers.
It further reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour and enjoined aggrieved passengers to follow proper channels in expressing their grievances.
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