By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has ordered that all mobile phones be switched off during flight take-off and landing.
The Director General of Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced the directive at a stakeholders meeting held on Tuesday in Abuja.
Stressing that the widely accepted “flight mode” option will no longer be permitted, Najomo directed that all passengers must now completely switch off electronic devices during flights.
“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. 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”, he said.
Najomo added that tough measures to address the growing trend of unruly passenger behaviour across the country’s airports had been put in place, warning that the era of “business as usual” is over.
“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, and AVSEC stand. 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 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 will do the adequate training,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Authority has summoned Comfort Emmanson, and Ibom Air cabin crew member Juliana Edward for questioning following the controversial August 10 fracas involving Emmanson and Ibom Air staff during the flight from Uyo to Lagos.
Speaking during the Stakeholders’ Meeting, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at NCAA, Michael Achimugu, said the body had already spoken with Emmanson earlier on Tuesday. He disclosed that Emmanson and the others appear before the Authority on Wednesday to continue the investigation
“I have spoken with Ms. Emmanson this morning. We are also inviting the Ibom Air cabin crew for a continued investigation into the incident. They will be here tomorrow”, Achimugu stated.
