Nigeria’s Airspace is safer now, says NCAA
Summons unruly Air France passenger
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said that with its enhanced safety surveillance, the Nigerian airspace has become safer. Acting Director General, Civil Aviation, Capt Chris Najomo, gave the assurance, yesterday, at the corporate headquarters of the authority in Abuja during the staff yearly New Year’s prayer session to kick start the NCAA 25th anniversary celebration.
Speaking on the sidelines of the programme, Najomo said the NCAA had enhanced safety surveillance to make airspace safer. He maintained that under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the five key point agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, the authority had been able to perform better.
He said: “We will do anything that will make sure that every airline complies with our regulations. You can see recently we had to sanction some airlines and they accepted their sanctions.
“We sanctioned five airlines because they refused to pay refund tickets and they have agreed that they will pay on time. So, you know, this year, 2025, we hope to see more and better service,” he said.
MEANWHILE, the authority has summoned Air France following the unruly behaviour of one of their passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Dr Michael Achimugu, in a post on his X handle, said Air France had been summoned to explain their handling of the matter.
The passenger in a viral video rejected efforts by the officers of the Nigeria Immigration Service to move him from the terminal building as he was seen pacing around with his hand luggage and shouting “my passport”.
The NCAA’s spokesperson, in his post, later explained that the passenger, who came into the country through Air France, was not expected to deplane as his flight only had a stop in Nigeria.
He further explained that the passenger, suspected to have mental issues, was de-boarded by Air France at the Abuja Airport, saying his disruptive behaviour in the aircraft was a safety risk for other passengers.
“Since he did not possess a Nigerian visa, he was not allowed into Abuja. Being a French national, he was visited by staff of the French Embassy and a doctor and then granted accommodation in the hotel within the airport terminal.
“British Airways deboarded him due to the same unruly behaviour he had put up aboard Air France. He was supposed to depart via Asky Thursday morning, but could not present evidence of payment for the e-’ticket’ he presented, so the airline declined to airlift him.”
Achimugu said immigration officials had quite a hectic time handling the erratic passenger, who was seen littering the terminal with what seemed to be tissue paper and screaming: “My passport, my passport.” He said: “Immigration officers were trying to ensure that he boarded his flight before handing the passenger his international passport to prevent him from escaping through the exit gate and into the city.”
He disclosed that the regional Head of NCAA Consumer Protection, Miriam Anosike, who understood the security, safety and diplomatic ramifications of the case, addressed Air France personnel sternly, reminding them that they brought the passenger to Nigeria and must be responsible for airlifting him out of Nigeria as he was becoming a liability to the country.
“If you are afraid to airlift him, why do you expect other airlines to be responsible for him? Get him a ticket and move him tomorrow,” she stated. Achimugu commended the regional CPO, whose years of experience came in handy in managing the matter. He said the authority would supervise Air France operations Friday night to ensure that the passenger was safely airlifted.
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