Unruly Passengers to Face Justice On-the-Spot as Airports Set Up Mobile Courts

By Samaila Emmanuel Bzugu

In a bid to curb the rising incidents of unruly behavior by passengers at airports, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) have concluded plans to establish mobile courts at airports to try offenders. This decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the NCAA to address the issue of flight disruptions and unruly passenger behavior.

The meeting, which was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), also agreed to extend airport operational hours to 10 pm at sunset airports. This move is aimed at reducing flight cancellations and delays, which often lead to passenger agitation.

Sensitization campaigns against unruly passenger behavior would be jointly conducted by the NCAA and FAAN

According to the communique issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders condemned the rising incidents of unruly behavior by passengers, which sometimes result in physical attacks on airline and airport workers. The communique stated that sensitization campaigns against unruly passenger behavior would be jointly conducted by the NCAA and FAAN, and that AVSEC officials would be deployed to de-escalate aggression professionally.

The meeting also agreed that airlines should optimize their flight schedules, maintain standby aircraft to manage Aircraft on Ground (AOG) situations, and utilize weather forecasts from NIMET for better flight scheduling. Additionally, airlines were encouraged to collaborate on luggage and passenger handling, and to provide information, care, and refreshments to passengers during disruptions.

The establishment of mobile courts at airports is a significant step towards addressing the issue of unruly passenger behavior, which has become a major concern in the aviation industry. The move is expected to serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders and to ensure that those who engage in unruly behavior are held accountable for their actions.

In a related development, the meeting also discussed the issue of bird strike risks and the need for stricter security measures to prevent unauthorized access to tarmacs. The communique stated that efforts are underway to address waste management and other environmental issues near airports, which contribute to the risk of bird strikes.

The meeting also discussed the issue of bird strike risks and the need for stricter security measures to prevent unauthorized access to tarmacs

Overall, the stakeholders’ meeting was a significant step towards addressing the challenges facing the aviation industry in Nigeria, and the decisions reached are expected to improve the safety and efficiency of air travel in the country.