NCAA commences awareness campaign to curb rising violence against aviation workers
Following a series of confrontations involving passengers, including high-profile cases against airport staff and airline crew that have raised concerns about safety in the aviation industry, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has deepened its campaign efforts across the country.
In recent months, multiple reports of aggression at terminals and aboard aircraft have surfaced. From the ValueJet incident involving Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshall to a squabble on Ibom Air involving passenger, Comfort Emmanson, the frequency of such encounters has worried industry stakeholders.
Though unruly passenger behaviour is not new to global aviation, the NCAA maintains that the Nigerian industry cannot afford to normalise hostility against its frontline workers.
This follows the directive issued by the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (DGCA), Chris Najomo, to airlines.
Najomo warned pilots not to commence flights until unruly passengers are either removed from the aircraft or their disputes resolved.
He also pledged to embark on a nationwide passenger awareness campaign to educate Nigerians on their rights and responsibilities when travelling.
A Campaign for Safer Travel
To curtail the trend, the authority has launched a nationwide passenger sensitisation campaign aimed at educating travellers on the dangers of verbal and physical assault within airports and in-flight.
Michael Achimugu, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, who led the exercise at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, disclosed that the awareness drive will be extended to other airports across the country.
“Today, I led a team of NCAA Consumer Protection and Public Relations officers to educate passengers about the dangers of verbal and physical assault in terminals and aboard aircraft. This is to enable us to arrest the rising tide of violence in the industry,” Mr Achimugu stated.
He further stated that aviation staff must not be viewed as adversaries.
“Cabin crew are not the enemy. They don’t make the rules. They ensure your safety and assist your journey,” he added.
Global Context
Similar initiatives have been adopted in other countries. In the United States, for instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stepped up passenger education following a spike in unruly behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reports of violent incidents dropped significantly afterwards, underscoring the impact of sustained awareness campaigns.
For Nigeria, experts believe the NCAA’s effort is timely, with passenger traffic expected to rise progressively, tensions at airports may also rise. However, authorities argue that proactive measures, rather than punitive ones alone, are vital to preventing violence.
By placing emphasis on respect and cooperation, the NCAA says it is working to protect both aviation professionals and the travelling public. The authority has also reiterated that violent conduct will not be tolerated, warning that offenders risk sanctions in line with aviation laws.
“Be you a passenger, cabin crew, or ground staff, we are all partners in this ecosystem, and we must not hurt one another,” Achimugu warned.
With global passenger numbers projected to rise in the coming years, aviation regulators insist that the industry must prioritise harmony and discipline.