The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any of its member airlines. Newspaper subscription bundles
The AON on Wednesday, in a statement signed by spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, made public its resolutions on the matter of Ibom Air and Emmanson.
“Consequent upon the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and appeal to lift the life-time ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson by its members for unruly behaviour onboard Ibom Air Flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025, the AON, having considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behaviour, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of Ms. Emmanson from custody, the statement of Government that it takes aviation safety and security very seriously and decision to draw a line after these clemencies, and the proposed retreat to retrain AVSEC personnel and airline crew on the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers, the AON hereby lifts the life ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life,” the statement read.
The AON has also called on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence sensitising the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as outlined in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.
It stated that it believes incidents of unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft will greatly reduce if passengers are aware that such behaviour poses a danger to flight safety and is an offence under the law, punishable with a fine, imprisonment, or both.Newspaper subscription bundles
The AON explained that unruly behaviour includes, but is not limited to, assaulting, intimidating, or threatening any flight or cabin crew member; using a mobile phone and/or other communication/electronic gadget on board an aircraft against the instruction of the pilot-in-command or flight or cabin crew.