The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban imposed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger previously sanctioned for unruly behaviour.

AON spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, announced the decision in a statement on Thursday, noting that it followed an appeal by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

According to Okonkwo, the operators considered several factors before reversing the sanction, including Emmanson’s expression of remorse, the withdrawal of the complaint, the striking out of charges against her, and her release from custody.

He commended the Federal Government for proposing a retreat to retrain Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and airline crew on managing disruptive passengers, and urged aviation agencies to intensify public sensitisation on the dangers and legal consequences of unruly conduct, as stipulated in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

Unruly behaviour, he explained, includes assaulting or threatening crew members, disregarding safety instructions, smoking in prohibited areas, fighting, disorderly conduct, or tampering with aircraft equipment. He stressed that pilots-in-command and AVSEC officers are empowered to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers, handing them over to the appropriate authorities to ensure safe and orderly flight operations.

“We confirm that members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the Minister,” Okonkwo said.