The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has warned air travelers to avoid unruly behavior on flights, saying offenders will face heavy fines or jail terms under the new Civil Aviation Act of 2022.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, gave the warning in a post on his verified ‘X’ handle on Monday. He reminded passengers that the law forbids any act of interference with flight crew members while they are carrying out their duties.
He explained that Section 85 of the Act sets out strong penalties for offenders.
“Anyone who disturbs or obstructs flight crew members while they are on duty is committing an offence. Such a person can be fined up to ₦200,000 or jailed for not less than two months, or both,” Achimugu stated.
He added that the law covers many kinds of bad conduct, such as assault, intimidation, threats, or other unruly behavior against crew members.
Such actions, he said, will bring at least a ₦200,000 fine or a minimum jail term of two months.
Passengers who disobey crew instructions or use electronic devices, like mobile phones, that may interfere with aircraft communication or navigation systems will also face similar punishment.
Achimugu further noted that the pilot-in-command has full authority to maintain order and safety during a flight. If necessary, the pilot may even ask passengers to help restrain any unruly individual on board.
