The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has clarified why airline passengers are required to switch off their phones before take-off and landing.
The Authority’s spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, made this known during an interview on Arise Television’s News Night on Tuesday.
His explanation follows Ibom Air’s recent decision to place a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, on a no-fly list after she was caught on video repeatedly slapping a Purser who had instructed her to turn off her phone before departure.
Achimugu noted that the rule is linked to safety measures and varying security programmes across different airlines.
He explained, “Regulator is a responsive authority in this case. There are too many arguments over which is better between switching off phones or putting them on aeroplane mode on the flight. Unfortunately, people have failed to grasp the crux of the matter. Now that the explanation has been given, some aircraft are equipped to fly in aeroplane mode, some are not.
Different airlines have different security programmes with respect to this particular issue. And because the pilot is in charge of their aircraft and is the one flying you, they know what their plane is equipped to carry.
So switching off phones during take-off and landing won’t cause anything.”
He further warned that a single mistake could endanger lives, stressing the need for passengers to comply with crew instructions.
“So if the cabin crew are saying ‘turn off your phone’, the time to have an argument about which is better is not the point of departure, and so if we continue to let this kind of argument fester, it is going to pose a risk for every passenger on board. In aviation, every tiny mistake can cause a mishap.”
Meanwhile, the NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, also reinforced the regulation during the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting in Abuja.
He declared that passengers are no longer allowed to use the “flight mode” option, as all mobile phones and portable electronic devices must now be completely switched off during take-off and landing.
Najomo stated, “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.”
Rejecting the use of flight mode, he added, “There’s nothing like anything like flight mode any longer. Must be switched off. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCA for approval, if different from this resolution.”
He also announced stricter measures to curb unruly passenger behaviour across airports, warning that the era of “business as usual” is over.
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