Critical: NCAA Hammers Ban on flightmode on All Flights

BY ANTHONY OMOH

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has, in a critical move to standardize aviation safety, banned the use of flightmode on all flights.

This new rule requires passengers to switch off all portable electronic devices during critical flight stages.  Read About Flightmode rules

It is a decisive action to ensure uniform compliance across all Nigerian airlines, eliminating the confusion caused by differing flightmode rules. More on Aviation Security

The Director-General of the NCAA, Captain Chris Najomo, confirmed this resolution. He stated that the new directive aims to eliminate confusion among travelers.

Passengers must now completely power off their devices during takeoff and landing.

“As a takeaway and to avoid ambiguity and confusion, all mobile phones, and other portable electric devices should be switched off during the critical stage of flight on all Nigerian airlines,” Najomo declared.

“Switched off. Nothing like flightmode any longer.” This important step is a clear departure from the old flightmode allowance.

Rationale for Flightmode Ban Policy

The previous inconsistency was causing major conflicts. Some airlines permitted flightmode, while others required a complete power off.

This lack of uniformity created frustration for passengers. A traveler flying on different carriers would encounter varying rules about flightmode. It often led to heated exchanges between crew and passengers.

According to a presenter at the meeting, Barrister First, these conflicting instructions were a major issue. Passengers began to question the rules. They saw them as arbitrary rather than safety-driven.

“Airline A allowed me to use flightmode, but Airline B is forcing me to switch off completely,” a passenger might argue. This fuels the belief that instructions about flightmode are arbitrary rather than safety-driven.

Why Inconsistency Was a Problem

The confusion extended beyond mobile phones and flightmode. It also affected other safety instructions, like folding tray tables and opening window shutters.

The varying standards on different airlines made it difficult to secure full compliance. Passengers would compare experiences, leading to a perception of unfairness.

The same issue arises with tray tables and window shutters. This lack of uniformity creates frustration.

Moreover, many Nigerians are not aviation experts. They assume that if something is permitted on one flight, like flightmode, it is safe on another. Inconsistent instructions from airlines and crew weaken trust.

It leads to unnecessary altercations. “This lack of uniformity creates frustration,” Barrister First had argued.

He said, “The inconsistencies passengers encounter remain a major source of conflict.” The ambiguity surrounding flightmode was a prime example.

Path Forward: Harmonized Regulations

Captain Najomo emphasized that Nigerian air operators must update their manuals. The amended procedures must be submitted to the NCAA for approval.

This ensures that all domestic airlines adhere to a single set of rules. He said, “Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operators manual to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCAA for approval.”

The NCAA will remain alert to future technological enhancements. “We remain alert to future reviews of this requirement as aircraft technological enhancement improves,” he added, noting that the flightmode ban is for the present.

The enforcement of this rule is now the crew’s responsibility. It is the passenger’s duty to comply.

“It remains the responsibility of the crew to communicate this requirement to the passengers and the responsibility of the passenger to comply with crew instructions,” Najomo stated.

The new guidelines will help crew members focus on genuine safety threats. It will remove the need for heated debates over conflicting rules on flightmode.

The move is part of a larger effort to enhance aviation security. It addresses unruly passenger behavior. It also introduces public campaigns to inform travelers of their responsibilities.

The NCAA is committed to stricter compliance from all parties. The era of “business as usual” is officially over, especially for the use of flightmode.

Ensuring Safety and Compliance

The NCAA’s decision reflects a commitment to safety. The move aligns with the goal of creating a unified, safer air travel environment in Nigeria.

This step will eliminate the ambiguity that has plagued passenger-crew interactions for years, particularly regarding the use of flightmode. It will, therefore, lead to a more efficient and secure aviation sector.

The new rule also serves as a reminder that safety is paramount. All stakeholders must work together to ensure a safe and secure flight experience for everyone.

This includes passengers, airlines, and regulatory bodies like the NCAA.

The new unified rules on flightmode are a significant victory for Nigerian aviation safety.