By Ebiere Kekeboro
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced the lifting of the lifetime ban it placed on an Ibom Air passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson.
According to the umbrella body of Nigerian carriers, the decision followed the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), who appealed for a review of the sanction.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, AON explained that the operators considered “all the circumstances of the matter” before lifting the ban.
These factors, Okonkwo said, included “the exhibition of remorse for her behaviour, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of Emmanson from custody.”
He commended the Federal Government for planning a special retreat to retrain Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and airline crew on the management of unruly and disruptive passengers.
Okonkwo also urged aviation agencies to begin a public sensitisation campaign on the dangers and legal consequences of unruly conduct at airports and onboard aircraft, as provided under Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
“We believe that incidents of unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft will greatly reduce if passengers are aware that such behaviour poses a danger to flight safety and is an offence under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both,” he said.
He clarified that unruly behaviour is not limited to assault, intimidation, or threats against flight or cabin crew, but also includes “using a mobile phone or other electronic gadget onboard against the instructions of the pilot-in-command or flight crew, and smoking in prohibited areas of the aircraft or terminal building.”