A fresh directive from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has upended routine air travel, as passengers can no longer rely on aeroplane mode during take-off and landing.
The regulator insists all devices must now be switched off, a move it says is vital for safety as it reviews evolving technology standards.
Aeroplane Mode No Longer Allowed
For years, flight attendants had reminded travellers to place devices in aeroplane mode.
However, Achimugu stressed that the NCAA has ended that practice.
Instead, he explained that regulators want passengers to power off their gadgets completely until further reviews account for new technology.
Consequently, the Authority has ordered every airline in Nigeria to update its security programmes to reflect this new rule.
Viral Flight Incident Sparks Outrage
Meanwhile, controversy in the skies has kept the NCAA under the spotlight.
Over the weekend, a viral video showed Ibom Air staff dragging a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, during a Uyo–Lagos flight.
Outrage erupted online, and Nigerians demanded accountability.
NCAA Promises Fair Investigation
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In response, Achimugu said NCAA officials had already spoken directly with Emmanson.
He added that the Authority had also summoned her and the cabin crew for questioning, insisting they must appear on Wednesday to explain what happened.
He clarified that the pilot-in-command chose not to call security after landing in Lagos because the crew believed they had resolved the matter before departing Uyo.
Yet the problem resurfaced when Emmanson went to the restroom after touchdown and ended up as the last passenger to disembark.
To calm concerns, Achimugu promised that the Authority would run a transparent and thorough probe to uncover the truth and ensure fairness.
At the same meeting, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Buhari Abdulfatai, shifted attention to a wider issue.
He condemned both the growing number of unruly passengers and the lapses in professionalism among aviation staff.
Therefore, he urged every stakeholder to support the NCAA as it enforces standards designed to protect Nigeria’s aviation industry.
