The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has lifted the lifetime ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any of its member airlines.

The AON on Wednesday, in a statement signed by spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, made public its resolutions on the matter of Ibom Air and Emmanson.

“Consequent upon the intervention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and appeal to lift the life-time ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson by its members for unruly behaviour 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 behaviour, 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 lifts the life ban placed on Ms. Comfort Emmanson from flying with any AON-member airline for life,” the statement read.

The AON has also called on the relevant aviation agencies to immediately commence sensitising the public on the dangers and consequences of unruly behaviour at airport terminals and onboard aircraft, as outlined in Section 85 of the Civil Aviation Act, 2022, and Part 17 of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

It stated that it believes 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 is an offence under the law, punishable with a fine, imprisonment, or both.

The AON explained that unruly behaviour includes, but is not limited to, assaulting, intimidating, or threatening any flight or cabin crew member; using a mobile phone and/or other communication/electronic gadget on board an aircraft against the instruction of the pilot-in-command or flight or cabin crew.

Others are smoking on board aircraft or in a non-smoking area of the terminal building; fighting or other disorderly conduct on board an aircraft or at the terminal building, and any conduct constituting a nuisance to other passengers;

Also listed are disobedience of lawful instructions issued by the pilot-in-command, flight crew, cabin crew, check-in staff, and/or security screening staff; any conduct that endangers flight operations safety; and tampering with smoke detectors or other aircraft equipment.

The AON reiterated the power of the pilot-in-command or an AVSEC officer, as provided in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, to restrain and de-board an unruly and disruptive passenger and to take all necessary measures to protect the safety of the aircraft, the terminal building or of persons and property therein, to maintain good order and discipline on board or at the terminal building and to enable him deliver such person to competent authorities.

It added 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 minister.

The AON also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly passenger behaviour and enjoined aggrieved passengers to follow proper channels in expressing their grievances.