The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime flight ban previously imposed on Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger accused of unruly conduct, following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
In a statement issued Thursday in Abuja, AON spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, said the minister appealed to the association to reconsider its earlier decision banning Emmanson from flying with any airline under its umbrella.
“The decision was taken after considering all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behaviour, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges against Emmanson, as well as her release from custody,” Okonkwo said.
The AON further urged relevant aviation agencies to immediately begin public sensitisation on the dangers and legal consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft. These are outlined under Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
The body reiterated that such conduct poses significant risks to flight safety and is punishable under law by fines, imprisonment, or both.
Okonkwo cited examples of unruly conduct, including assaulting, intimidating, or threatening crew members, as well as the use of mobile phones or other electronic devices in defiance of crew instructions.
He also emphasised the authority vested in pilots and Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers to restrain or de-board unruly passengers and to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and discipline onboard and within airport facilities.
The AON called on member airlines to cooperate with aviation agencies and actively participate in the proposed retraining sessions on handling disruptive passenger incidents.
While reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward unruly behaviour, AON encouraged passengers to use appropriate channels to lodge grievances.
Meanwhile, Emmanson’s lawyer, Adefunke Maria, stated that her client has not yet decided whether to pursue legal action against the airline. In an interview on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Maria criticised the flight attendant’s conduct and expressed concern over the alleged recording and online distribution of the incident by airline staff.
“Whether Comfort will allow sleeping dogs to lie, she will inform us. We can’t disclose that online,” Maria said. “She is a full-grown adult. If she chooses to press civil charges for compensation, she will let us know. For now, she just needs to rest and put herself together.”
In a separate development, Laolu Akande, former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, criticised the Federal Government for conferring an ambassadorial role on veteran musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM 1.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Akande questioned the speed of the appointment, especially following reports that the musician violated airport protocol at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
