The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued a new mandate that will change the way passengers use their mobile phones during flights. The long-standing practice of using “flight mode” has been officially scrapped. Now, all mobile phones and portable electronic devices must be completely powered off during critical flight phases.
Capt. Chris Najomo, the Director-General of the NCAA, made the announcement, stressing that “flight mode” will no longer be an option for passengers. He declared, “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.”
This new directive is aimed at improving safety and streamlining aviation protocols. The NCAA is also requiring Nigerian air operators to revise their operations manuals to reflect this change and submit them for approval if they differ from the new guidelines.
Najomo also addressed growing concerns about unruly passenger behaviour in Nigerian airports. He made it clear that the era of “business as usual” is over and that stricter enforcement of aviation rules will be implemented. “We are committed to enforcing compliance, and we will educate the public about their responsibilities,” he said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja.
The NCAA has plans to launch public awareness campaigns, including radio jingles and TV series, to sensitise travellers. In his speech, Najomo also emphasized that training in conflict resolution will be mandatory for all airline staff. He added that airlines must ensure their employees are well-prepared to handle situations calmly and effectively.
Regarding security threats in the aviation sector, Najomo pointed out the increasing risks posed by non-compliance, sabotage attempts, and lack of cooperation among airport agencies. The NCAA is set to conduct mock response exercises in Lagos and Abuja next week to assess the readiness of aviation personnel to deal with potential security breaches.
While acknowledging that completely eliminating unruly behaviour is impossible, Najomo affirmed the authority’s preparedness to handle such incidents professionally and according to established protocols.
Michael Achimugu, the Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs at the NCAA, also spoke on enforcement procedures, stating that security personnel will determine the best response based on each specific case. He emphasised the importance of passengers reporting complaints through the NCAA to ensure their rights are protected.
