The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all passengers must now completely switch off their mobile phones and electronic devices during aircraft take-off and landing.
The directive was issued by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, at the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja.
Najomo explained that the new regulation replaces the long-standing practice of using “flight mode,” stressing that only a full shutdown of devices will now be permitted.
He said, “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.”
“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 further disclosed that the decision is part of broader measures to unify aviation safety regulations and curb rising cases of unruly passenger behaviour across the nation’s airports.
“The era of business as usual is over,” Najomo declared, noting that tougher enforcement would follow to ensure compliance.
Najomo stated that the Authority remains committed to enforcing stricter compliance from both airlines and passengers, while also rolling out public awareness campaigns to educate travelers on their obligations.
“We’re going to go on air. We’ll make sure that we take all these preambles of informing passengers, going further of their responsibilities, and going further, things will not be as usual as what it is. If you’re unruly, you’re unruly.
“So, you see, we have a new beginning from where we are. It will not be as business as usual. I can assure you that. It will not. And I want to also tell the airline operators here, we are going to start checking that you would do the adequate training.”
