BREAKING: NCAA BANS AIRPLANE MODE, ORDERS TOTAL PHONE SHUTDOWN DURING TAKE-OFF, LANDING
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By: Sefiu Ajape
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that all mobile phones must now be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing.
The Director General of the Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, made this known at the “National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting” held in Abuja on Tuesday.
He stated that passengers must now shut down electronic devices entirely, ending the long-standing practice of using “flight mode.”
Najomo explained that regulations concerning electronic devices in Nigeria have been harmonized, stressing that the widely accepted “flight mode” option will no longer be permitted.
He declared, “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.”
Rejecting the use of flight mode, he added, “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 NCA for approval, if different from this resolution.”
The NCAA boss also unveiled new measures aimed at curbing the rising trend of unruly passenger behaviour at airports across the country, warning that the era of “business as usual” is over.
He said the Authority would strictly enforce compliance by both airlines and passengers while also launching public awareness campaigns to educate travelers on their responsibilities.
“And, you know, I had to call this stakeholders meeting because going further, we know what the responsibilities of the airlines are, what the responsibilities of passengers are, and where the CA, the FAAN, AVSEC stands. I can assure you where we have decided. 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.
“So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be as 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.”
Capt. Najomo further emphasized that airlines would be compelled to implement “adequate training of conflict resolutions” for their staff, urging operators who had yet to comply to “please go back and make sure you get this done.”
On the security challenges facing the sector, he highlighted: “The threats we face in aviation, steaming from deliberate or attempted sabotage, non-compliance with aviation protocols by traveling public, non-implementation of approved standard operating procedures by service providers, non-cooperation or collaboration among agencies at the airports or systemic oversight require, one, a decisive, united, and accountable response, which I’ve just explained.”
He disclosed that mock response exercises would be conducted in Lagos and Abuja next week to test readiness.
“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.
“So if you think in your mind you are going to come and be unruly passengers, we’re waiting for you. Aviation security personnel and law enforcement must be reinforced with training, professionalism, and clearly defined rules of engagement. All stakeholders, from airlines to intelligence partners, must work without silos to share threat intelligence and coordinate rapid response.”
While acknowledging that unruly acts cannot be entirely eliminated, Najomo stressed the need for preparedness: “The reality is that unruly acts can never be eliminated totally. So, we must be ready to manage and resolve these incidents, and if and when they occur, in line with the standard protocols, professionally and responsibly.”
Similarly, the NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, addressed enforcement measures, noting that security personnel would determine the best approach depending on the circumstances.
He explained, “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.”
Achimugu urged passengers to always lodge complaints through the NCAA. “This is the reason the Authority exist; to protect passengers right,” he said.
Referencing recent cases involving notable individuals, he added: “I am happy about the recent events. I am proud of the way the NCAA handle these issues. There is not one party involves would repeat their errors. Not KWAM1. Not Comfort. Not the pilot or cabin crew. But, there are gaps in the system that need to be plucked as a matter of urgency.”
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