BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson following her unruly behaviour onboard Ibom Air Flight QI 513 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.
The decision came after the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who appealed for clemency.
The AON cited Ms. Emmanson’s display of remorse, the withdrawal of the complaint, and her release from custody as key factors in its decision.
In a statement issued on Thursday, AON spokesperson Professor Obiora Okonkwo said the association considered “all the circumstances of the matter” and noted the government’s emphasis on aviation safety and security, as well as plans to retrain aviation security (AVSEC) personnel and airline crew on managing disruptive passengers.
The AON called on aviation agencies to intensify public sensitisation on the dangers and legal consequences of unruly conduct at airports and onboard aircraft, as stipulated in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
The group stressed that such behaviour, ranging from assaulting crew members to smoking onboard, tampering with aircraft equipment, and disobeying lawful instructions, poses serious risks to flight safety and is punishable by fines, imprisonment, or both.
AON reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on disruptive passenger conduct and urged travellers to lodge grievances through appropriate channels.
It also confirmed that its members will cooperate with relevant agencies in retraining programmes aimed at improving the handling of such incidents.
