The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed all airline passengers to completely switch off their mobile phones during flights, abandoning the previous allowance of “flight mode.”
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, NCAA Director General Chris Najomo said the new rule applies during critical phases of flights—takeoff and landing—across all Nigerian airports.
He stressed that the move is aimed at ending confusion caused by varying airline policies and improving safety compliance.
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The directive follows recent controversies in Nigeria’s aviation sector, including a widely publicized altercation between a passenger, Comfort Emmanson, and an Ibom Air flight attendant. The incident reignited debates about in-flight conduct and safety protocols.
“As a takeaway and to avoid ambiguity and confusion, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during the critical stage of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switch off—nothing like flight mode any longer,” Najomo said.
He added that all Nigerian airlines must update their operators’ manuals to reflect this requirement and submit them to the NCAA for approval.
While the agency left room for a future review as aircraft technology advances, Najomo made clear that, for now, “it remains the responsibility of the crew to communicate this requirement and the responsibility of the passenger to comply.”
Source: https://www.channelstv.com/2025/08/19/just-in-passengers-must-switch-off-phones-during-flights-ncaa/
Image Credit: channels TV
