The Airline Operators of Nigeria has lifted the lifetime ban on Comfort Emmanson, the passenger accused of unruly conduct aboard an Ibom Air flight on August 10.

AON spokesperson, Obiora Okonkwo, announced the development on Thursday, saying the decision came after Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, appealed for a review of the sanction.

“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, 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.

“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,” the statement reads.

The AON spokesperson outlined offences considered unruly behaviour, such as assaulting crew members, using electronic devices against crew instructions, smoking on board, fighting, disobeying lawful orders, and tampering with aircraft equipment.

Okonkwo stressed that pilots-in-command and aviation security officers have the authority to restrain and de-board disruptive passengers to ensure safety and order, and to hand them over to the appropriate authorities.

“The AON confirms that members shall cooperate with the relevant aviation agencies and participate in the retraining retreats on how to handle cases of unruly and disruptive passengers as proposed by the Honorable Minister,” he added.

The association reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on unruly passenger behaviour, urging aggrieved travellers to use proper channels to address their complaints.

On Wednesday, Minister Festus Keyamo said he had met with key aviation stakeholders, after which the airlines agreed to lift the lifetime ban on the passenger.