Airport Incident: Passenger Emmanson, Ibom Air Crew Members to Appear Before NCAA

…Aviation Authority makes phone switch-off compulsory during take-off and landing.

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has invited Ms Comfort Emmanson and a member of the Ibom Air cabin crew, Juliana Edward, for further investigation into a reported incident aboard an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos on August 10.

The NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, disclosed this during a question-and-answer session at the Emergency National Civil Aviation Security Committee and Stakeholders Meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.

Achimugu confirmed that he spoke with Ms Emmanson earlier that day and that both she and the crew member involved had been summoned for continued inquiry. “They will be here tomorrow (Wednesday),” he added.

He clarified that the pilot did not call in security personnel upon landing in Lagos, as the issue seemed resolved during the flight. However, Emmanson, who reportedly visited the restroom upon landing at Murtala Muhamed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, was the last to disembark from the aircraft.

Assuring the public of transparency, Achimugu said the NCAA remains committed to uncovering all the facts surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, at the same meeting, the Director General of the NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, ordered that all mobile phones and portable electronic devices must now remain completely off during flight operations.

He said, “All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phases of flight on all Nigerian airlines. I repeat, it must be switched off going forward.”

“There is nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off.”

The NCAA boss said the Authority was committed to enforcing stricter compliance by both airlines and passengers, while also introducing public enlightenment campaigns to sensitise travellers to their responsibilities.

“We are going to go on air, radio, television, and all… going further, things will not be as usual… If you’re unruly, you’re unruly. It will not be business as usual. I can assure you of that,” Najomo stated.