AON slams lifetime ‘No-Fly’ ban on Ibom Air passenger over in-flight assault; Passenger remanded in Kirikiri prison

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has imposed a lifetime no-fly ban on Ms. Comfort Emmanson, an Ibom Air passenger, for violent conduct aboard flight Q9 303 from Uyo to Lagos on August 10, 2025.

AON’s spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, said on Monday that the decision followed a review of Ibom Air’s detailed report on the incident.

Earlier in a statement on Monday, Ibom Air described Emmanson’s behaviour as a “serious threat” to the safety of crew, passengers, and the aircraft and slammed a life ban on her from boarding the airline.

The airline has since banned her travels, stating that she will “no longer be permitted to fly on any of our aircraft.”

Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy towards unruly conduct, Ibom Air vowed that such behaviour “will be met with the strongest possible response, including legal action and permanent restriction from our services.”

Okonkwo commended the airline for its swift and professional handling of the situation and fully endorsed the sanctions already given.

According to Okonkwo, the passenger’s initial refusal to comply with safety instructions on mobile phone usage escalated into a “brutal physical assault” on crew members. She allegedly attempted to use a fire extinguisher as a weapon — an act described as one of the most severe cases of unruly passenger behaviour in 2025.

“This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers, and the integrity of the aircraft at risk. This behaviour is unacceptable,” he declared.

“Therefore, effective immediately, the AON has placed Ms. Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely.

“She is hereby banned from flying with any AON member either domestically or internationally for life. Such incidents have become one too many, with the most recent being the incident involving Nigerian musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1) on ValueJet and the unruly behaviour of Senator Adams Oshiomhole towards the members of staff of Air Peace.

“It is also worth mentioning that this incident exposes the vulnerabilities in the security response by the Aviation Security (AVSEC). The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.

“The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards unruly airline passengers. Going forward, anyone who exhibits such behaviour will suffer similar consequences. While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process.

“We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers, equipment and maintaining the highest safety standards.”

Meanwhile, the passenger Comfort Emmanson, has been charged to court and remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Facility.

Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Tunde Moshood disclosed this in a post on X (formerly Twitter), on Monday.

Emmanson’s remand comes less than a week after popular Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal a.k.a. KWAM 1 reportedly obstructed a ValueJet Airlines aircraft from taking off in Abuja.

The incident according to Ibom Air, began shortly before takeoff from Uyo when Emmanson refused to switch off her mobile phone despite repeated instructions.

A fellow passenger eventually turned off the device after the Pilot-in-Command made an announcement, which allegedly triggered an altercation from Emmanson.

Upon arrival in Lagos, Emmanson reportedly waited for other passengers to disembark before confronting the Purser, who had earlier instructed her to switch off the phone.

“She forcibly tore off the Purser’s wig, removed her glasses, threw them to the floor, and used her footwear to assault her,” the statement read.

The passenger was further accused of slapping the Purser several times, and when another cabin crew member intervened, she slapped her too before attempting to forcibly remove a fire extinguisher to use as a weapon, an act, the airline claimed could have damaged and grounded the aircraft.