Director Zenith Research, Olumide Ohunayo has said aviation needs effective legislation to deal with unruly/disruptive passengers.
He said Nigeria aviation is not short of consumer/ airline protection laws, canvassing sufficient reporting and better implementation of these laws
Ohunayo spoke at the Olisa Agbakoba Legal webinar themed: Repositioning the aviation sector in Nigeria for revenue generation and growth: The Role of Legislation
A strong advocate for best industry practices, Ohunayo spoke from the consumer’s perspective.
He said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has adequate laws to handle both airlines and unruly passengers.READ ALSO: Arik Air explains de-boarding of unruly passenger from Asaba flight
He however said it is important that the government and airlines have necessary legal authority to prosecute unruly passengers.
Ohunayo said enforcement must also be commensurate with incidents to create detente.
Unruly/ disruptive passengersÂ
Referring exclusively to Part 19 of the Civil Aviation Regulations, Ohunayo questioned what the rights of airline passenger’s are.
According to him some include right to full value for money paid, right to timely feedback in respect of complaints lodged with service.
Some others are the right to seek redress for irregularities during a flight.
However, one irregularity is having an unruly passenger onboard who may do one or more damage to the airline.
This includes blocking the airline from operating other flights due to cancellation of flights. Destroying the airline counter.Failure to fasten seat-belts and standing up during taxi.
Others are verbal/physical abuse and Intoxication. Pilfering of passenger luggage. Disobeying crew briefing during disembarkation.
Enforcement measures against disruptive passengers:
Ohunayo said,” It is important that the government and airlines have the necessary legal authority to prosecute unruly passengers.
“Enforcement measures that reflect the severity of the incident should be activated.
” For this to happen command gaps must be eradicated and effective coordination between airlines and responsible agencies.
He said the United States has taken a zero-tolerance approach to unruly passenger behaviour.
” If a crew member, staff or other passenger is threatened or assaulted, then there will be action taken against the offender.
” In 2022, $8.4 million in fines were issued with the most serious cases referred to the FBI to pursue criminal prosecutions.
“Airlines have also used the ‘ban the passenger’ option.
He however said the problem with bans is that data protection laws affect information sharing and the banned can circumvent with name changes.
He noted that the increasing trend of physical abuse is worrying, and governments must enforce the law and punish offenders.
Passengers and crew are entitled to a safe and hassle-free experience on board.