The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed pilots not to operate flights carrying unruly passengers.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, announced the directive during a meeting with domestic airline operators in Abuja on Wednesday.
He said the measure is intended to strengthen safety and discipline in the aviation sector, adding that pilots must not take off until disruptive passengers are removed by security personnel or the matter is amicably resolved.
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“Pilots must not fly the plane until unruly passengers are removed from the aircraft by security or the issue is resolved amicably. This will go a long way to protect cabin crew and ensure passengers treat them with courtesy,” Achimugu said.
He stressed that many incidents escalate because pilots fail to take charge, and warned that “no passenger has the right to touch any cabin crew.”
At the same time, Achimugu urged airline staff to uphold professionalism. “Cabin crew should not be rude, and passengers should not misconstrue firmness as rudeness,” he said.
Airlines represented at the meeting included Arik Air, Ibom Air, Aero Contractors, United Nigeria Airlines, Green Africa, Max Air, Rano Air, ValueJet, Air Peace, and Overland Airways.
