Ibom Air: NCAA directs mobile phones to be switched off during take-off and landing

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that mandated that all mobile phones must be switched off during flight take-off and landing. The new development ends the previous practice of placing electronic devices in flight mode. 

The Director General of Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, during a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, stated that the regulation concerning placing mobile phones on flight mode is no longer effective.

“All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off,” he said. 

He stressed that Nigerian air operators are now required to amend their operations manuals to reflect this requirement. They are also to seek the NCAA approval if they have any reason to run regulations different from this resolution.

The new rule follows the recent incident between an Ibom Air flight attendant and a passenger, Comfort Emmanson. The passenger allegedly refused to switch off her phone as instructed, leading to a confrontation that reportedly ended with her physically assaulting the flight attendant.

According to Capt. Najomo, the measures are meant to address the growing trend of unruly passenger behaviour across the country’s airports. He reiterated that the authority is committed to enforcing the rules and ensuring proper compliance from all passengers. 

To make the new rules effective, the authority will be implementing public enlightenment campaigns to sensitise travellers on their responsibilities.

“I’ve told the Director of Consumer Protection we’re going to do a lot of radio jingles, TV series. We’re going to go on air. We’ll make sure that we take all these preambles of informing passengers, going further of their responsibilities, and going further, things will not be as usual as what it is. If you’re unruly, you’re unruly,” he added.

Capt. Najomo also highlighted the growing threats being faced in the aviation sector. These range from deliberate or attempted sabotage, non-compliance with aviation protocols by travelling public, and non-implementation of approved standard operating procedures by service providers.

In addition to the rules, he stressed that the NCAA would compel airlines to implement adequate training in conflict resolution for their staff.  

“So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be business as usual. I can assure you that. It will not. And I want to also tell the airline operators here, we are going to start checking that you would do the adequate training,” he added.

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NCAA to pilot mock response by next week

In furtherance of its new airline rules and regulations implementation, the NCAA is set to conduct mock response exercises. The implementation process will kick start in Lagos and Abuja by next week. 

“We are going to do a mock response next week. We are going to carry it out in Lagos and Abuja, and we are going to come up with a result. And I’m going to go public and tell them what we have come, what we have decided,” he noted

The Captain stated that once the test run is done and certified, aviation security personnel and law enforcement would be reinforced with training, professionalism, and clearly defined rules of engagement. 

Meanwhile, he acknowledged that while unruly acts could never be completely eliminated, authorities must be prepared to handle them professionally and responsibly. He stated that resolving issues must be in line with the standard protocols, professionally and responsibly.

Also speaking, the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, NCAA, Michael Achimugu, stressed that security personnel determine the most suitable approach depending scenario. He said this while explaining the pattern of the enforcement procedures. 

“This is global. In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, even if you are cooperative, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice,” he added.

Notably, he commended the NCAA on the manner it handled the KWAM1 and Comfort issues, describing both situations as human errors which are not expected to recur.