JUST IN: NCAA Issues Fresh Order to Airline Passengers

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a fresh directive mandating all airline passengers in the country to completely switch off their mobile phones during flights.

The directive covers both takeoff and landing, which aviation experts describe as the riskiest stages of air travel.

The NCAA Director General, Captain Chris Najomo, announced the decision at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the new order followed a heated altercation between a passenger and a flight attendant on an Ibom Air plane last week.

The confrontation, captured on video, went viral and sparked nationwide debate over the use of mobile phones in airplanes.

According to Najomo, the confusion arose because different airlines enforced varying policies on phone use.

Some carriers allowed passengers to leave their devices on airplane mode, while others insisted on total shutdown.

The lack of a uniform rule caused misunderstandings, passenger resistance, and unnecessary drama in aircraft cabins.

“To avoid ambiguity and conflict, the NCAA has decided to standardize the rule,” Najomo declared.

“Passengers must now switch off their mobile phones and other portable electronic devices completely during takeoff and landing.

Nothing like flight mode any longer. Switch off, period.”

He explained that the directive will not only eliminate confusion but also reinforce aviation safety, which remains the authority’s highest priority.

Najomo added that all airlines have been directed to immediately update their operations manuals with the new rule and submit the documents to the NCAA for review and approval.

The aviation chief emphasized that the instruction is binding on both passengers and airlines. While crew members must announce and enforce the rule, passengers must strictly obey.

He stressed that safety regulations cannot be negotiated or compromised, regardless of individual preferences or opinions.

Najomo further explained that although global advancements in aviation technology may one day allow for a review of the regulation, Nigeria must act in line with present realities.

“We know technology is changing every day. But as of today, we are saying clearly that passengers must switch off all mobile devices. If there will be a change in the future, the NCAA will issue a fresh directive,” he said.

He also assured Nigerians that the decision was not taken lightly. The authority had carefully studied global best practices, examined incidents of in-flight disruptions, and listened to complaints from both passengers and airlines.

The conclusion, he said, was that a uniform rule would protect everyone and create a smoother flying experience.

The NCAA urged passengers to cooperate fully with airline staff to ensure seamless compliance. Najomo reminded travelers that safety guidelines exist for their protection and must be respected at all times.

With this order, all domestic airlines in Nigeria will now operate under the same phone-use policy, ending years of mixed rules that created unnecessary disputes on flights.