The skies are no longer as friendly as they once seemed across the globe, and increasingly in Nigeria air travel is being disrupted by a troubling rise in unruly passenger behaviour.
From heated arguments to outright defiance of safety protocols, these incidents are not just inconvenient; they pose real threats to aviation safety and operational integrity. At the heart of this growing turbulence lies a critical gap: inadequate training and public awareness.
A recent incident at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MMA2) brought this issue into sharp focus. A female passenger’s aggressive conduct on the tarmac tested the limits of aviation security (AVSEC). Yet, AVSEC officers responded with commendable restraint and professionalism, strictly adhering to protocol. Their calm handling of the situation was a testament to the power of training but also a reminder that such discipline must be widespread, not exceptional.
Aviation Analyst, Mr. Olu Ohunayo, stressed the need for unified regulations and consistent education. He highlighted the confusion surrounding mobile phone usage on flights, where passengers encounter conflicting instructions depending on aircraft type. “You cannot have a regulation that says switch off your phone and another that says airplane mode is fine”, he warned. “That inconsistency breeds confusion and can trigger confrontations. We need a unified standard”. His call was clear: training must extend to both passengers and crew, with emphasis on engagement, empathy, and clarity not just authority.
Also, Aviation Expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), echoed these concerns, pointing to systemic lapses in aviation oversight and enforcement. He lamented the lack of career progression within key agencies like Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which has weakened the implementation of Nigeria’s National Aviation Security Programme. “We’ve neglected our responsibility to enforce the programme”, he said. “Since 2022, Nigeria has been downgraded from the U.S. Category One status. We’re still waiting for re-auditing”. He proffered the solution as regular and mandatory training for all aviation personnel, backed by rigorous oversight.
In response to the growing crisis, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced plans to establish mobile courts at airports to swiftly address cases of passenger misconduct. This move signals a shift toward accountability but it must be paired with proactive education. Stakeholders have maintained that punishment alone would not solve the problem; prevention through training is key.
Air travel is a shared responsibility. Passengers must understand their rights and obligations, and crew members must be equipped to manage conflict with tact and professionalism. Without this foundation, entitlement and misunderstanding will continue to fuel disruptive behaviour.
In simple terms, analysts assured that the skies can be safe again but only if Nigeria invests in the one tool proven to work: training. Not just for aviation staff, but for every stakeholder in the travel experience. Because when knowledge takes flight, safety follows.