NCAA Bans Flight Mode, Say Passengers Must Switch Off Phones On Board

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a new directive mandating that all mobile phones and electronic devices must be completely switched off during flights, specifically at take-off and landing.
The Director General of the Authority, Capt. Chris Najomo, announced the decision on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting of the National Civil Aviation Security Committee in Abuja.
Capt. Najomo declared that the long-standing practice of putting phones on “flight mode” will no longer be accepted.
“All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off,” he emphasized.
Rejecting the use of flight mode, he added:
“There’s nothing like flight mode any longer. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCAA for approval.”

The NCAA boss also unveiled new measures to address the rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour across airports in the country. He warned that the era of “business as usual” was over, stressing that both airlines and travelers would be held accountable.
According to him, airlines will now be compelled to provide conflict resolution training for their staff, while passengers will be sensitized through public enlightenment campaigns on radio and television.

“If you’re unruly, you’re unruly. Things will not be as usual anymore,” Capt. Najomo stated firmly.

Highlighting growing security risks in the aviation sector, Najomo noted that issues such as deliberate sabotage, disregard for aviation protocols, and poor inter-agency collaboration must be urgently tackled.
He disclosed that the NCAA would conduct mock emergency response exercises in Lagos and Abuja next week to test the sector’s readiness to handle threats and unruly passengers.

Speaking on enforcement, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, stressed that security personnel would handle each case based on its peculiarities.
He explained that while unruly behaviour is often treated with extreme prejudice in other countries, Nigeria’s approach remains “more humane.”

Achimugu also urged passengers to direct their complaints through the NCAA, assuring that the Authority exists to protect their rights.
Reflecting on recent high-profile cases involving notable Nigerians, he said:

“I am proud of the way the NCAA handled these issues. There are gaps in the system that need to be fixed urgently, but lessons have been learned.”

The NCAA reiterated its commitment to safer skies, stricter enforcement, and improved collaboration among aviation stakeholders to safeguard Nigeria’s air transport sector.