NCAA Bans Flight Mode: Passengers Must Now Switch Off Phones During Flights
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has officially ruled that all mobile phones and electronic devices must be completely switched off during take-off and landing—effectively abolishing the long-standing “flight mode” practice.
PulseNets learnt that the announcement was made by the Director General of the Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, during a stakeholders’ forum themed “National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting” in Abuja on Tuesday.
‘Flight Mode No Longer Recognised’
Capt. Najomo told PulseNets that the new directive has unified the regulation on electronic device use in Nigerian aviation. He was emphatic:
“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.”
Rejecting the widespread belief in “flight mode,” Najomo stressed:
“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 NCAA for approval, if different from this resolution.”
Crackdown on Unruly Passengers
The NCAA boss reported that the agency is also adopting tougher measures to curb the rising wave of unruly passenger behaviour across airports nationwide. He declared that the era of “business as usual” in Nigerian aviation has ended.
Najomo spoke to PulseNets:
“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, AVSEC stands. 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.”
He added:
“So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be as 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 would do the adequate training.”
Airlines Ordered to Train Staff in Conflict Resolution
PulseNets learnt that Capt. Najomo ordered all Nigerian airlines to ensure their crew undergo conflict resolution training, warning those who had not done so to comply immediately.
Highlighting the mounting aviation security challenges, he explained:
“The threats we face in aviation, steaming from deliberate or attempted sabotage, non-compliance with aviation protocols by traveling public, non-implementation of approved standard operating procedures by service providers, non-cooperation or collaboration among agencies at the airports or systemic oversight require, one, a decisive, united, and accountable response, which I’ve just explained.”
To test preparedness, Najomo announced that mock emergency response drills would be held in Lagos and Abuja next week.
“We are going to do a mock response next week. We are going to carry it out in Lagos and Abuja, and we are going to come up with a result. And I’m going to go public and tell them what we have come, what we have decided.
“So if you think in your mind you are going to come and be unruly passengers, we’re waiting for you. Aviation security personnel and law enforcement must be reinforced with training, professionalism, and clearly defined rules of engagement. All stakeholders, from airlines to intelligence partners, must work without silos to share threat intelligence and coordinate rapid response.”
He conceded, however, that unruly acts could never be eradicated entirely:
“The reality is that unruly acts can never be eliminated totally. So, we must be ready to manage and resolve these incidents, and if and when they occur, in line with the standard protocols, professionally and responsibly.”
NCAA Vows to Protect Passenger Rights
Also speaking, the NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, detailed how enforcement would be carried out. He said security operatives would determine the most effective approach depending on the case.
He explained to PulseNets:
“This is global. In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, even if you are cooperative, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice.”
Achimugu urged passengers to always forward complaints directly to the NCAA, noting:
“This is the reason the Authority exists; to protect passengers’ rights.”
Reflecting on recent incidents involving celebrities and high-profile individuals, Achimugu added:
“I am happy about the recent events. I am proud of the way the NCAA handle these issues. There is not one party involves would repeat their errors. Not KWAM1. Not Comfort. Not the pilot or cabin crew. But, there are gaps in the system that need to be plucked as a matter of urgency.”
With this latest aviation directive, flight mode is officially dead in Nigeria’s skies, and passengers will now have to power down completely during flights. The NCAA says its crackdown, backed by training, enforcement, and awareness campaigns, signals a new beginning for aviation security and passenger safety in the country.
