The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has now drawn a clear line. Led by Director-General Captain Chris Najomo and driven by the hands-on activism of Michael Achimugu, Director of Consumer Protection, the Authority has launched a nationwide sensitization campaign to end the menace of passenger assaults in airports and aboard aircraft.
Achimugu, speaking through his official X handle, captured the essence of the problem and the solution: “Cabin crew are not the enemy. They don’t make the rules; they ensure your safety and assist your journey. Be you passenger, cabin crew, or ground staff, we are all partners in this ecosystem, and we must not hurt one another.”
This is not just rhetoric. It is a much-needed intervention. For years, passengers have vented their frustrations through violence whenever flights were delayed or canceled. From the 2019 mob attack on a check-in counter to the 2021 physical assault of a staff member during a boarding dispute, the trend has been worrying, embarrassing, and dangerous.
No industry can thrive when its workforce is constantly under threat. Airline staff, who already work in high-pressure environments, must never fear for their safety while simply doing their jobs.
But this editorial must also strike a balance: passengers are not always to blame. Their frustrations are real. Poor communication, sudden cancellations, and the absence of timely refunds often fuel anger. Here is where the NCAA’s reforms under Captain Najomo matter most. By pressing airlines to honor refund timelines, enforcing complaint resolution frameworks, and demanding transparency during disruptions, the Authority is showing that fairness must work both ways.
Equally important, staff themselves must be trained to de-escalate tensions when dealing with unruly passengers. Around the world, airlines invest heavily in conflict management training for crew and ground staff, teaching them to stay calm, use clear communication, and call in security when necessary. Nigeria’s aviation sector must not lag behind in this critical area.
Globally, Nigeria is not alone in confronting this challenge. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed heavy fines on unruly passengers under its “Zero Tolerance” policy. The U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has warned passengers that abuse of staff is a criminal offense. The European Union has adopted similar strictures. Nigeria, by aligning with these best practices, is signaling that it is ready to enforce civility as part of its aviation culture.
The bigger picture is clear: Najomo’s reform agenda and Achimugu’s grassroots campaigns are not isolated moves. Together, they represent a strategic shift toward a “passenger-first, safety-always” philosophy that benefits both travelers and staff.
Our position at The Ameh News Editorial is simple: violence has no place in Nigerian aviation. Airlines must improve communication, staff must be trained to calm tensions, passengers must exercise patience, and regulators must enforce the law. Only through partnership, not conflict, can Nigeria’s aviation industry achieve the global standards it aspires to.
The Ameh News Editorial stand for “Respect in aviation is not optional, it is the ticket to safety, dignity, and progress”.
Discover more from Ameh News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
