NCAA orders pilots to refuse flights with unruly passengers
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has implemented a crucial new policy prohibiting pilots from flying with unruly passengers onboard.
This decision was announced by Michael Achimugu, the NCAA Director of Public Relations and Consumer Protection, during a meeting with domestic airlines in Abuja on Wednesday.
“Considering the risks involved in airline business, it is unacceptable that passengers who are unruly to pilots or cabin crew are allowed to fly without resolving the issues at stake,” Achimugu emphasized.
He stressed that flights may only proceed after the issues have been amicably resolved or the disruptive passenger has been removed from the aircraft.
In addition to addressing passenger behavior, Achimugu also reminded cabin crew members of the need for professionalism, stating, “The NCAA is always behind the airline operators when it comes to the issue of unruly passengers.”
Furthermore, Mrs. Ifueko Abdulmalik, senior special assistant to the NCAA’s director-general, addressed concerns about airline operations, warning that the NCAA would impose sanctions on airlines that fail to adequately care for passengers following flight delays and cancellations.
The meeting also covered several critical topics, including:
- Unruly passenger behavior and handling protocols
- Unresolved refund and compensation issues
- Introduction of RFID bag tags and flight monitoring technology
- Enforcement of phone switch-off instructions
- Ensuring the protection of cabin crew members
- Improving the overall travel experience for all passengers.
Source: LEADERSHIP
