The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has released a list of passenger behaviours that will be considered unruly.

In a statement on Thursday, August 13, Obiora Okonkwo, AON spokesperson, listed various violations and announced that the lifetime air travel ban on Ibom Air passenger Comfort Emmanson, who clashed with crew members, has been lifted.

Comfort Emmanson's lifetime ban cancelled

The AON statement noted that the decision to lift the ban was due to Emmanson’s remorse, the withdrawal of the complaint, and intervention from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

It also urged aviation agencies to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour.

Part of the statement reads:

“Consequent upon the intervention of the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb (UK), and appeal to lift the life-time ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson by its members for unruly behavior onboard Ibom Air Flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025, the AON, having considered all the circumstances of the matter, including the exhibition of remorse for her behavior, as reported, the withdrawal of the complaint and consequent striking out of the charges, and release of Ms. Emmanson from custody, the statement of Government that it takes aviation safety and security very seriously and decision to draw a line after these clemencies, and the proposed retreat to retrain AVSEC personnel and airline crew on the handling of unruly and disruptive passengers, the AON hereby: Lifted the life ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life."

“Calls on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence the sensitization of the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as spelt out in section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022 and Part 17 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023."

AON tells passengers on the implications of unruly behaviours

The statement also spoke on the authority of pilots and Aviation Security officers to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers to maintain safety and discipline, as well as their duty to hand such individuals over to competent authorities, Vanguard reports.

It added:

“Believes that incidents of unruly and disruptive behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft will greatly reduce if passengers are aware that such behaviour poses a danger to flight safety and are offences under the law, punishable with a fine or imprisonment or both."

AON reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on unruly passenger behaviour and confirmed that member airlines would participate in retraining programmes proposed by the Minister to better manage disruptive incidents.

According to the statement, unruly behaviour includes but is not limited to:

1. Assaulting, intimidating, or threatening flight or cabin crew members;

2. Using mobile phones or other electronic gadgets against crew instructions;

3. Smoking on board or in non-smoking areas;

4. Fighting or engaging in disorderly conduct onboard or at the terminal;

5. Acting as a nuisance to other passengers;

6. Disobeying lawful instructions from crew, check-in staff, or security personnel;

7. Any action endangering flight safety

8. Tampering with smoke detectors or aircraft equipment.