Nigeria’s aviation industry has recently been thrust into the spotlight for a series of controversies involving high-profile individuals, raising questions about safety protocols, passenger conduct, and perceived double standards in enforcement.
In the past few weeks, the sector has seen incidents involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole’s clash with Air Peace, the suspension of two ValueJet pilots following an altercation with popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), and the arrest of Comfort Emmanson after an onboard dispute on Ibom Air.
In the case of ValueJet, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced the suspension of Oluranti Ogoyi, the pilot-in-command, and Ivan Aloba, her co-pilot, for breaching safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. KWAM 1 was banned from flying for six months.
Meanwhile, Emmanson faced a much harsher penalty. She was charged to court and remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions. This outcome has sparked public debate, with many Nigerians accusing the authorities of applying “double standards,” noting that Oshiomhole and KWAM 1 did not receive similar treatment despite their incidents attracting comparable attention.
Aviation Conduct and International Standards
The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) defines an “unruly passenger” as one who fails to respect the rules of conduct at an airport or onboard an aircraft, ignores crew instructions, and disrupts good order and discipline.
The Tokyo Convention of 1963 formally titled The Convention on Offences and Certain Other Acts Committed on Board Aircraft, prohibits acts that may jeopardize the safety of an aircraft, its passengers, or its property, or that disrupt discipline onboard.
Globally, unruly passenger behaviour has been on the rise. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported a surge in disruptive incidents in 2020 and 2021, prompting stricter enforcement measures, including heavy civil penalties for severe cases. The 2014 Montréal Protocol was introduced to strengthen states’ ability to address such behaviour, particularly when incidents occur on international flights.
In addition, the Montréal Protocol 2014 (MP14) strengthens penalties for unruly behaviour, empowering states to prosecute disruptive passengers even if the offence occurred outside their territory. While Nigeria’s Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) laws are not directly lifted from ICAO conventions, they are built on the Chicago Convention standards and enforce similar rules locally.
Application in Nigeria’s Aviation Sector, Keyamo
While NCAA regulations are not directly drawn from ICAO laws, the authority operates under the framework of the Chicago Convention and ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs). These guidelines form the basis for national aviation safety rules in Nigeria.
The NCAA, established to meet ICAO’s mandate for member states to have dedicated civil aviation authorities, is tasked with enforcing rules on passenger behaviour, airline operations, and crew conduct. However, recent events have sparked renewed calls for consistency in applying these rules, regardless of the status or influence of those involved.
This means offences such as verbal abuse, physical assault, refusal to follow safety instructions, and actions that threaten flight safety can lead to fines, suspensions, or imprisonment as seen in the recent Comfort Emmanson and KWAM 1 cases.
As the industry continues to face scrutiny, aviation authorities are under pressure to balance passenger rights, operational safety, and public perception; ensuring that no one, regardless of prominence, is above the law in the skies.
