The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced the lifting of the lifetime flight ban previously imposed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger penalised earlier this year for unruly conduct.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AON spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, confirmed that the decision followed an appeal by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and a review of surrounding circumstances.
Okonkwo stated that the operators reached a consensus to lift the ban after considering several factors, including Ms. Emmanson’s public expression of remorse, the withdrawal of the initial complaint against her, the dismissal of legal charges, and her subsequent release from custody.
“We took these developments into account and resolved, in the spirit of fairness and the minister’s intervention, to lift the lifetime sanction,” the statement read.
The AON also lauded the Federal Government’s initiative to organise a national retreat for retraining aviation security personnel and airline crew on the proper handling of disruptive passengers. The group pledged its full cooperation and participation in the upcoming sessions.
Okonkwo called on aviation authorities to intensify public education efforts on the risks and consequences of disruptive behaviour on board aircraft, as stipulated under Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations (NCAR), 2023.
The offences listed include assaulting or threatening crew members, disobeying safety instructions, smoking in prohibited areas, engaging in fights or disorderly behaviour, and tampering with aircraft systems or equipment.
“Pilots-in-command and AVSEC personnel are empowered to restrain or deboard passengers whose actions endanger the safety of a flight, and to hand them over to law enforcement when necessary,” he stated.
Okonkwo emphasised that while the industry supports passenger rights, it remains committed to ensuring safety and order in Nigerian airspace.
He added, “We confirm that our members will fully cooperate with aviation agencies and participate in the retraining initiatives spearheaded by the Honourable Minister.”
Ms. Emmanson’s case drew widespread public attention earlier this year, after video clips of her in-flight conduct surfaced online, prompting swift industry-wide action. With this decision, she is now permitted to fly again with all Nigerian airlines.
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