“For us, an unruly passenger is an unruly passenger,” he said. “No matter who you are, legal consequences will follow. We are in active consultation with Air Peace to decide next steps. This must not be swept under the carpet.”
BY ANTHONY OMOH
Founder of United Nigeria Airlines and spokesperson for Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has called on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to urgently issue a public statement on the recent disruption involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole at Lagos Airport. He insisted that FAAN must clarify the Oshiomhole incident to ensure public trust in airport operations is not further eroded.
Professor Okonkwo made this known while addressing aviation correspondents in Lagos. He expressed concern over FAAN’s continuous silence in such an event and urged the authority, as landlord of the airport terminals, to provide video evidence and a timeline of events from its surveillance systems.
According to him, FAAN’s silence has deepened confusion, and the agency must present its version based on CCTV footage and on-ground security reports.
He stated that the aviation community cannot operate in an environment where terminal disruptions go unexplained and social media versions dominate public opinion.
“We are disappointed that FAAN has not released their side of the story. This is not just about Air Peace—it could happen to any operator. It’s about aviation safety, security, and order,” Okonkwo said.
He warned that if no explanation comes from FAAN, AON will interpret that as dereliction, adding that the continued silence emboldens unruly behaviour by passengers, including VIPs.
AON preparing legal options over VIP misconduct
Hinting at possible legal steps, Okonkwo declared that AON is already consulting with Air Peace over the legal classification of the incident. He affirmed that no passenger, regardless of status, is exempt from accountability under aviation law.
“For us, an unruly passenger is an unruly passenger,” he said. “No matter who you are, legal consequences will follow. We are in active consultation with Air Peace to decide next steps. This must not be swept under the carpet.”
Okonkwo emphasized that such actions violate national aviation regulations and could endanger lives if not checked early. He called on FAAN’s AVSEC to explain their role and justify the security fee airlines pay.
“We pay for AVSEC services. Were they asleep during this disruption? Airlines are being sabotaged at both ends—by passengers and system failure,” he added.
Bird strikes and terminal chaos worsen airline operations
He also revealed that on the same day as the incident, Air Peace suffered two bird strikes in separate locations. These operational hazards, he said, combined with terminal disorder, jeopardise schedule integrity and inflame tensions among passengers.
“When people see delays, they don’t ask why. But here we are—unruly behaviour, AVSEC’s inaction, and two bird strikes. How do we keep the operation intact?” Okonkwo asked.
According to him, Nigeria’s airlines work under intense pressure, bending backwards to satisfy passengers even when resources are stretched thin.
“We’re doing our best. But this kind of disruption is not sustainable. It could have escalated and endangered lives,” he warned.
Online check-in does not excuse late arrival
On procedural issues, Okonkwo used the Oshiomhole incident to correct public misconceptions. He said online check-in does not exempt passengers from physical reporting, luggage inspection, and final manifest documentation.
“If your flight is at 6:30 a.m., the aircraft should be airborne by that time—not started boarding,” he explained. “Manifest data must be submitted 45 minutes before departure. Passengers arriving at 6:30 are late and have missed their flight.”
He said Air Peace followed standard protocol and was unfairly maligned by the confrontation and media fallout. He also condemned attempts to demonize the airline, noting that the matter went beyond flight punctuality and into the realm of passenger aggression.
Operators warn against rising VIP entitlement culture
Okonkwo further condemned the growing entitlement of high-profile passengers who ignore aviation rules. He argued that VIPs would never attempt such disruptive conduct outside Nigeria without facing consequences.
“This is about order,” he said. “We can’t allow people, no matter how highly placed, to think they are above aviation safety laws.”
He concluded by stressing that what happened was not an Air Peace issue alone—it is a systemic threat. According to him, FAAN, as the custodian of terminal operations, must show leadership now by presenting verified facts to calm tensions.
“Let FAAN clarify Oshiomhole incident with evidence. That’s the only way to restore trust in the system,” he said.
