The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime flight ban placed on Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger earlier penalised for unruly conduct on board.
AON spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, announced this in a statement on Thursday, explaining that the decision came after an appeal by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Okonkwo said the operators considered several factors before removing the ban. These included Emmanson’s show of remorse, the withdrawal of the initial complaint, the dismissal of charges in court, and her release from custody.
He praised the Federal Government for introducing a retreat to retrain Aviation Security (AVSEC) staff and airline crew on how to manage disruptive passengers. He also urged aviation agencies to step up public sensitisation on the dangers and legal consequences of unruly behaviour on flights, as outlined in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
Okonkwo explained that unruly conduct includes assault or threats to crew members, refusal to obey safety instructions, smoking in restricted areas, fighting, disorderly actions, or tampering with aircraft equipment.
He emphasised that pilots-in-command and AVSEC officers are empowered to restrain and remove disruptive passengers from flights, handing them over to the appropriate authorities to maintain safety and order.
“We confirm that our members will cooperate with relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on handling cases of unruly and disruptive passengers, as proposed by the minister,” Okonkwo stated.
The case had attracted public attention after Emmanson’s arrest, with debates on passenger rights and airline safety rules. Her eventual release and the lifting of the ban have been welcomed by some stakeholders as a step toward balancing discipline with fairness in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
