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AON Lifts Ban On Freed Ibom Air Passenger
The lifetime ban imposed on an Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson, who was earlier penalised for unruly conduct, has been lifted by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
AON in a statement issued by its spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, which was obtained by aviation correspondents, announced that the decision was made after an appeal from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Okonkwo in the statement explained that the operators agreed to lift the sanction after weighing all relevant factors, such as Emmanson’s expression of remorse, the withdrawal of the complaint, the dismissal of charges, and her release from custody.
He praised the Federal Government for introducing a retreat to retrain Aviation Security staff and airline crew on managing disruptive passengers.
AON also called on aviation agencies to enhance public awareness about the risks and legal repercussions of unruly behaviour, as provided in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
Such conduct, he said, covers assault or threats to crew members, refusal to follow safety instructions, smoking in restricted areas, fighting, disorderly actions, or interfering with aircraft equipment.
The AON stressed that pilots-in-command and AVSEC officers have the authority to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers, handing them over to competent authorities to ensure flight safety and order.
Okonkwo also confirmed 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 minister.
By; Corlins Walter