Airlines lift lifetime ban placed on Ibom Air passenger

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban placed on Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly behaviour onboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10.

Obiora Okonkwo, AON spokesperson, announced on Thursday.

Okonkwo said the decision followed the intervention of Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, who appealed for the sanction to be reviewed.

“The AON, having considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behavior, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of Ms. Emmanson from custody, the statement of Government that it takes aviation safety and security very seriously and decision to draw a line after these clemencies, and the proposed retreat to retrain AVSEC personnel and airline crew on the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers, hereby lifted the life ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life,” the statement reads.

“Calls on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence the sensitization of the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as spelt out in section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

“Believes that incidents of unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft will greatly reduce if passengers are aware that such behaviour poses a danger to flight safety and are offences under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both.”

The AON spokesperson listed offences that constitute unruly behaviour, including assaulting crew members, using electronic devices against crew instructions, smoking on board, fighting, disobeying lawful orders, and tampering with aircraft equipment.

Okonkwo reiterated that pilots-in-command and aviation security (AVSEC) officers are empowered to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers to maintain safety and order, and to hand them over to competent authorities.

“The AON confirms 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 Honorable Minister,” he added.

The association reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour and enjoins aggrieved passengers to follow proper channels in expressing their grievances.

On Wednesday, Keyamo said he met with key aviation sector stakeholders, adding that the airlines had agreed to lift the lifetime ban on the passenger.

AON had earlier placed Emmanson on its “no-fly” list for life after videos surfaced online showing her assaulting a flight attendant aboard the Ibom Air aircraft and confronting airport security personnel.