NCAA bans airplane mode, mandates phones off for take-off and landing

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced a new directive mandating that all mobile phones and portable electronic devices be completely switched off during aircraft take-off and landing, effectively ending the long-standing use of “airplane mode” by passengers.

This landmark policy shift was disclosed by the Director General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, during the National Civil Aviation Security Committee Meeting held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The move, according to the authority, is aimed at tightening aviation safety regulations and curbing rising cases of passenger misconduct on flights.


Capt. Najomo stressed that the new directive applies to all airlines operating within Nigeria, with immediate effect.

“All mobile phones, I repeat, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during at least the critical phase of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off,” he stated firmly.

Rejecting the widespread practice of leaving phones on airplane mode, he declared, “There’s nothing like flight mode any longer. Nigerian air operators are therefore required to amend their operations manuals to reflect this requirement and submit to the NCAA for approval.”


The NCAA boss linked the new rules to the rising incidents of unruly behaviour by passengers across Nigerian airports and during flights.

He warned that the era of lax compliance was over, adding that both passengers and airlines must now adhere strictly to aviation regulations.

“We are entering a new beginning. Going forward, it will not be business as usual. If you’re unruly, you’re unruly, and you will face the consequences.

We will also intensify public awareness through radio jingles, TV campaigns, and sensitisation drives so that passengers understand their responsibilities,” Najomo said.

The authority also directed airlines to improve staff training, particularly in conflict resolution and handling disruptive passengers.


Highlighting growing security risks in Nigeria’s aviation sector, Capt. Najomo noted that deliberate sabotage, passenger non-compliance, and weak inter-agency coordination remain pressing concerns.

To address this, the NCAA will be conducting mock response exercises in Lagos and Abuja next week to test the industry’s readiness to handle emergencies.

“These drills will assess our preparedness, and the results will be made public.

Aviation security personnel and law enforcement officers will also undergo retraining to ensure professionalism and effective responses to threats,” he explained.


Supporting the new directive, NCAA’s Director of Consumer Protection and Public Affairs, Michael Achimugu, emphasised that passengers must always channel their grievances through the authority.

“This is global best practice. In Nigeria, we are even more humane. In most cases abroad, unruly behaviour is treated with extreme prejudice.

Here, we are more considerate, but there will be no compromise on safety and discipline,” Achimugu said.

He added that recent high-profile incidents, such as altercations involving celebrities and airline crew, have exposed gaps in the system that must be addressed urgently.

“Not KWAM1, not Comfort, not even the crew members involved will want to repeat their errors. That is the kind of deterrent effect we want,” he said.


Aviation analysts say the NCAA’s decision to ban airplane mode marks a significant departure from global aviation norms, where the use of flight mode is widely permitted.

However, the Nigerian regulator insists that the stricter approach is necessary given the unique security and operational challenges facing the sector.

The development also signals the government’s determination to restore order in Nigerian airports and enforce global standards of safety and discipline.



With this new directive, Nigerian air passengers must now fully power down their devices during take-off and landing.

Airlines, on their part, will face increased scrutiny to ensure compliance. For the NCAA, the message is clear: safety, discipline, and accountability will now define Nigeria’s aviation sector.