NCAA Bars Pilots From Flying With Unruly Passenger

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all pilots not to operate any flight if an unruly passenger is on board, stressing that safety must always remain the top priority in air transport.

The directive was disclosed on Wednesday by NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr. Michael Achimugu, during a meeting with domestic airline operators in Abuja.

Achimugu explained that the decision became necessary following reports of increasing incidents of disruptive behaviour by passengers against pilots and cabin crew.

According to him, such actions endanger not only the safety of crew members but also the lives of all passengers onboard.

“It is unacceptable that passengers who are unruly to pilots or cabin crew are allowed to fly without resolving the issues at stake. Pilots are to ensure that either the matter is resolved amicably or the passenger is removed before departure,” he said.

The NCAA spokesperson further noted that while the Authority supports operators in ensuring safety and orderliness, airline staff must also maintain professionalism in handling such situations.

“Cabin crew must conduct themselves in line with global best practices. NCAA will always stand behind airlines when it comes to dealing with unruly passengers, but crew members must also uphold the highest standards of professionalism,” Achimugu added.

The aviation regulator assured Nigerians that it would continue to take firm measures to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s airspace and protect the rights of both passengers and operators.

Unruly passenger conduct, which ranges from verbal assault to physical confrontation and refusal to comply with safety instructions, has been flagged by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as a growing threat to global aviation safety.

The new directive by the NCAA is expected to strengthen safety protocols across domestic airlines and reduce the risk of in-flight disruptions.