Consequent upon the intervention of Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development and appeal to lift the life-time ban placed on Comfort Emmanson by its members for unruly behavior onboard Ibom Air Flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025, the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted life ban placed on the passenger from flying with any AON-member airline for life.
In a statement signed by Obiora Okonkwo, Spokesperson for AON, he stated that having considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behavior, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of Emmanson from custody, the statement of Government, and the proposed retreat to retrain AVSEC personnel and airline crew on the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers, it has decided to lift the life ban placed on Comfort Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life.
Okonkwo also 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, as spelt out in section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
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“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 are offences under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both,” he said.
He listed unruly behaviour to include but is not limited to asaulting, intimidating, or threatening any flight or cabin crew member; 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; and smoking on board aircraft or in a non-smoking area of the terminal building.
Others he said includes 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.
The AON also reiterated the power of the pilot-in-command or an AVSEC officer, as provided 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, the terminal building or of persons and property therein, to maintain good order and discipline on board or at the terminal building and to enable him deliver such person to competent authorities.
“We confirm that members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the Honorable Minister,” Okonkwo added.
