A passenger discovered on board a South African Airways 060 from Johannesburg to Lagos, who was alleged to be smoking on board has been handed over to the police and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for prosecution.
The NCAA has vowed to follow the case to its logical conclusion to serve as a deterrent to others.
The passenger (name withheld) resorted to smoking on board in abeyance to civil aviation regulations in contravention of Section 58 of the Civil Aviation Act 2006, Part.17.97.2 (a) and (c) of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulation 2012 (Nig.CARs).
In line with Part 20.2.3.42 of the Nig.CARs, the stipulated penalty for smoking on board an aircraft is imprisonment of not less than two months.
It is important to note that according to the Regulations, all airlines should and must as part of pre-flight formalities announce that smoking is prohibited anywhere in the cabin including the toilet.
This culprit, however, failed to adhere to this warning. Therefore, the NCAA will collaborate with the police to ensure prosecution.
The NCAA in a statement released in Lagos, yesterday, says it is committed to follow this case to its logical conclusion to serve as deterrence to others who possess the penchant to flout the Authority’s regulations.
In addition, it has said that its Directorate of Consumer Protection has been strengthened to ensure passengers get full value for their money and comfort.
