Air Peace, Max Air and Others Lift Lifetime Ban on Passenger After Minister’s Intervention
- The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban placed on the unruly Ibom Air passenger, Comfort Emmanson
- The association said that its members responded to the appeal by the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to lift the ban
- AON said it has reached out to other agencies to reconsider Emmanson and allow her to fly any airline in Nigeria
Legit.ng’s Pascal Oparada has reported on tech, energy, stocks, investment and the economy for over a decade.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has announced the lifting of the lifetime ban on the Ibom Air Passenger, Comfort Emmanson, after an intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
AON spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, disclosed in a statement on Thursday, August 14, 2025, that Keyamo had appealed to the association to lift the lifetime ban on the unruly passenger to fly on any aircraft belonging to any AON member.
Source: UGC
Why we lifted the ban: AON speaks
According to Okonkwo, the airlines decided after considering all the circumstances surrounding the issue, including the show of remorse by Emmanson, the withdrawal of the complaint and the striking out of the charges against the passenger.
The airlines’ body also asked other relevant aviation agencies to immediately begin public sensitisation on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviours at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as contained in the Civil Aviation Act 2022.
AON revealed that passengers should know that unruly and disruptive behaviour at airports and on board aircraft causes flight delay and jeopardises safety.
Pilot’s authority: AON reels out rules
The association used the opportunity to remind passengers of the strict rules governing air travel.
The association’s spokesman stressed that the unruly behaviour includes assault, intimidation, threats to any flight or cabin crew member, use of mobile phones and other communication or electronic gadgets on board aircraft against the pilot's instruction or crew members.
According to a Guardian report, AON stressed the pilot-in-command’s authority or an AVSEC officer as contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Act to restrain and de-board an unruly and disruptive passenger and take all necessary measures to protect the aircraft’s safety, the terminal building or persons and property.
The association disclosed that its members should cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in retraining their staff members on how to handle cases involving unruly and disruptive passengers.
AON reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passengers and asked dissatisfied passengers to follow proper channels to express their grievances.
Ibom Air passenger: What happened?
Comfort Emmanson came under public scrutiny this week after a video showed her brawling with Ibom Air staff and other ground staff at the Murtala Mohammed local airport in Lagos.
Ibom Air's statement said the irate Emmanson became violent after she was asked to switch off her mobile phone while on board the airline’s aircraft, which she refused to comply.
The development led to Emmanson being blacklisted first by Ibom Air and subsequently by all airlines in Nigeria.
Source: Getty Images
The incident, nicknamed KWAM 2, after a similar event involving a Fuji musician, Olasunkanmi Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, AKA, KWAM 1, snowballed into public opprobrium for Emmannson.
She was subsequently charged in court and remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
NBA announces free legal support for Emmanson
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced a free legal representative to Comfort Emmanson, the Ibom Air passenger dragged out of the aircraft.
In a statement signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, its president, the NBA described the treatment of Emmanson by Ibom Air as reckless and a violation of her right to dignity.
Emmanson was involved in an altercation with airline staff aboard an Ibom Air flight on Aug. 10, after which she was removed from the aircraft, stripped in public and filmed, with the footage later circulated online.
Source: Legit.ng
