AON Pardons Ibom Air Passenger, Lifts ‘No Fly’ Life Ban

By Chinelo Obogo, The Sun Nigeria

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the ‘No Fly’ life ban it placed on Comfort Emmanson for unruly behaviour onboard Ibom Air Flight QI 513 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, the AON said the decision was made following the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

The body said that having considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behavior, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of 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 Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and airline crew on the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers, the AON has lifted the ban.

The body said: “We call on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence the sensitisation of the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as spelt out in section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

“We believe that 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 are offences under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both. 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 aircraft against the instruction of the pilot-in-command or flight crew or cabin crew; Smoking on board aircraft or in a non-smoking area of the terminal building; Fighting or other disorderly conduct on board an aircraft or at the terminal building; Any conduct constituting a nuisance to other passengers; Disobedience of lawful instruction issued by the pilot-in-command, flight crew, cabin crew, check-in-staff and/or security screening staff; Any conduct that endangers the safety of flight operations; Tampering with smoke detectors or other aircraft equipment.”

It added that all members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the Minister, and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour and enjoins aggrieved passengers to follow proper channels in expressing their grievances.