NCAA has ordered airline passengers to completely switch off phones during take-off and landing.
The new unified rule aligns Nigeria with global aviation standards and prioritizes passenger safety.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced that airline passengers must completely switch off their mobile phones during take-off and landing, in line with updated aviation safety guidelines.
Michael Achimugu, the NCAA’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, disclosed the directive in a post on X on Tuesday. He explained that the agency has now unified the rules governing the use of mobile phones and other electronic devices on flights within Nigeria.
According to the NCAA, the decision was reached after an emergency meeting with industry stakeholders, where concerns about flight safety and passenger compliance were raised.
“Mobile phones and electronic gadgets must be switched off during the critical phases of flight take-off and landing,” the statement emphasized.
Safety concerns
The agency noted that while modern aircraft are designed to withstand potential interference from electronic devices, international aviation standards still recommend that passengers power down phones at specific times. This precaution, it said, is meant to avoid distractions to pilots, reduce cabin disturbances, and ensure that passengers remain alert in case of an emergency.
Aviation experts also stress that take-off and landing remain the most sensitive parts of air travel, accounting for the majority of aviation incidents globally. The NCAA said enforcing stricter compliance will align Nigeria’s aviation sector with international best practices.
Compliance and penalties
The regulator further warned that passengers who ignore the directive risk sanctions, as airlines have been instructed to enforce the rule strictly. Cabin crew members are expected to monitor compliance, and repeated violations may attract penalties in accordance with civil aviation regulations.
