The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a new directive mandating all airlines to enforce complete phone switch-off by passengers during take-off and landing.
The directive was disclosed in a post by Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, via his official X handle on Tuesday.
According to the regulator, the updated rules unify phone and electronic device restrictions across the aviation industry. Henceforth, the use of airplane mode will no longer be permitted during critical phases of flight.
“All airlines must amend their security programmes accordingly,” Achimugu wrote. “No more airplane mode until regulations are reviewed to reflect evolving technological situations.”
The order follows an incident involving a passenger, Ms. Comfort Emmanson, who refused to switch off her phone on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos. The confrontation escalated, leading to her arrest, detention and a brief no-fly ban.
The federal government and Airline Operators of Nigeria later intervened, resolving the matter after Emmanson expressed remorse. A Lagos court eventually struck out the case after Ibom Air withdrew its complaint.
The new directive seeks to eliminate ambiguity and ensure passenger compliance during the most sensitive phases of flight operations
