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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has banned the use of flight mode on mobile phones and other electronic devices during flights, mandating that all gadgets must now be completely switched off during take-off and landing.
The directive comes in the wake of rising incidents of unruly passenger behaviour, including the recent clashes aboard an Ibom Air flight, where cabin crew and a passenger were filmed in a heated altercation over in-flight phone usage. The video, which went viral, sparked national debate over airline safety protocols and passenger conduct.
Speaking during the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced the immediate end of the flight mode practice, calling it obsolete and unsafe.
“All mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines,” he said emphatically.
Rejecting the long-standing practice of using flight mode, Najomo declared, “There’s nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCAA for approval, if different from this resolution.”
The NCAA chief also announced tougher enforcement measures to curb misbehavior at airports and onboard aircraft, stating that the era of “business as usual” is over.
“We’re going to go on air. We’ll make sure that we take all these preambles to inform passengers of their responsibilities,” Najomo said.
“It will not be as business as usual. I can assure you that. It will not.”
Najomo added that airlines would now be required to implement training in conflict resolution for their staff to handle disruptive passengers more effectively.
“We are going to start checking that you do adequate training. If you’ve not done that, please go back and make sure you get this done,” he warned.
The NCAA also plans a nationwide public awareness campaign, including radio and television jingles, to educate passengers on their responsibilities and acceptable conduct while flying.