NCAA Implements New Policy: Phones Prohibited During Events
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a new rule mandating all passengers to completely switch off their mobile phones and electronic devices during take-off and landing, effective from August 19, 2025. This rule marks a departure from the previous practice of putting devices in airplane mode, requiring full shutdown instead.
The decision comes in the wake of two recent incidents of unruly passenger behaviour at Nigerian airports and a mid-flight row involving Comfort Emmanson and Ibom Airline. The context behind this stricter rule includes a recent incident on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, where a passenger refused to switch off a phone before take-off, leading to a physical altercation.
Captain Chris Najomo, Director-General of the NCAA, made this known at a National Civil Aviation Security Committee (NCASC) meeting. He emphasized that airlines operating in Nigeria must amend their security and operational manuals to align with this rule and submit the updated programs to NCAA for approval. Non-compliance could lead to penalties such as removal from flights or legal actions.
The rule also reflects an effort to address increasing cases of passenger refusal to turn off phones and to tighten safety protocols pending a comprehensive review of how evolving technology impacts aviation safety. Additionally, the NCAA is urging airlines to train crew in de-escalation techniques to manage passenger compliance and unruly behavior on flights.
Michael Achimugu, the director of public affairs and consumer protection at NCAA, stated that while passengers have rights, they also have responsibilities to ensure flight safety. He also highlighted the need for the aviation security to step up its enforcement regulations.
The meeting aimed to analyze and understand the chain of failures that permitted the incidents, unify and strengthen inter-agency coordination, identify 'quick wins' and policy gaps, and reiterate the need for training and awareness on aviation security.
In a statement, Captain Najomo stated that the meeting was not about pointing fingers or apportioning blame, but about listening, discussing, and understanding individual and collective responsibilities towards a safe and secure air transport sector. He also noted that incidents of unruly passenger behaviours in the aviation sector could damage public trust.
A memo will be sent to all airlines to update their protocols to include the new rule. The NCAA is urging passengers to obey the instructions of the pilot and cabin crew during take-off and landing.
Achimugu expressed satisfaction with the way the NCAA handled recent incidents and expressed confidence that no party involved would repeat their errors. He also noted that uncooperative suspects are handled differently from cooperative suspects, with harsher treatment being common abroad.
In summary, the NCAA's new regulation requires full shutdown of mobile phones during take-off and landing for all Nigerian flights, motivated by recent safety incidents and to eliminate risks linked to device interference during critical phases of flight. The authority is also emphasizing the importance of training and awareness on aviation security to ensure a safe and secure air transport sector.
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