At a time when unruly passenger behaviour is on the rise globally, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria, AOPAN, Dr. Alexander Nwuba, has called for deeper collaboration across the aviation sector to address the menace before it escalates into greater safety risks.
Speaking at the recent National Civil Aviation Security Committee meeting in Abuja, organized by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Dr. Nwuba described disruptive conduct as a growing concern that goes beyond isolated incidents of shouting or intoxication.
He explained that unruly behaviour now spans verbal abuse, alcohol-fuelled aggression, physical confrontations both on the ground and in the air, as well as more complex issues tied to stress, cultural misunderstandings, and mental health.
“Airplanes cannot park in the sky,” he cautioned, stressing the importance of resolving incidents on the ground before passengers board flights.
AOPAN President noted that, much of the stress that triggers bad behaviour begins long before take-off, at check-in counters, security points, and boarding gates, where tension between passengers and staff often flares.
Alcohol consumption, he added, remains one of the leading triggers, with some passengers arriving at boarding gates already intoxicated after excessive drinking in lounges.
Stress and inadequate conflict management at airports further worsen the problem, while mental health, an often-overlooked factor also contributes significantly.
For Dr. Nwuba, curbing unruly conduct requires a multi-layered approach rooted in synergy.
Airlines, airport operators, law enforcement, regulators, and service providers, he said, must all play active roles, backed by strict enforcement of policies and crew training that emphasizes professionalism, calmness, empathy, and clear communication.
“If you speak rudely to a passenger, you will most likely get the same response,” he observed, stressing the role of staff behaviour in either diffusing or escalating conflict.
He pointed to global best practices, such as the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration’s Zero Tolerance Toolkit, which uses prominent signage, public announcements, and visible enforcement mechanisms to send an unmistakable message about the consequences of disruptive actions.
Similar measures, he emphasized, should be adapted locally, supported by social media education campaigns that spread awareness about expected behaviour and penalties for violations.
Dr. Nwuba stressed that consistency is crucial: uniform training across all airlines and agencies, standardized protocols, and reliable information-sharing mechanisms are needed to prevent gaps in response.
The aviation expert who is also the 2nd Vice President, Aviation Safety Roundtable Initiative, ASRTI, recalled cases where airlines alerted security about troublesome passengers, only for the information to fail to reach the right parties, leaving cabin crew to manage dangerous situations mid-air.
He further emphasized the role of international cooperation, citing the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards that mandate member states to adopt robust legal frameworks, invest in surveillance and biometric screening technologies, and strengthen coordination among aviation authorities.
Dr. Nwuba said, must align fully with these requirements, while also adopting proactive measures such as enhanced risk management and real-time incident detection.
Ultimately, he noted, prevention should be the goal, not just reaction.
“What we need, is a collaborative culture that sets clear behavioural expectations, enforces consequences, and builds trust across the aviation ecosystem. When we achieve synergy, we make the skies safer for everyone.”
Reporting By Nosa Aituamen