FG Pardons Unruly Passengers, Emmason, KWAM 1, Reduces Pilots’ License Suspension Duration
After reviewing the recent incidents as regards unruly air passengers, including appeals made by well-meaning individuals and remorse shown by the actors, the Federal Government has decided to release Ms. Comfort Emmanson from Kirikiri Prisons and reduce Wasiu Ayinde Marshal’s (KWAM 1) flight ban to a one-month period.
According to a press statement issued by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Emmason exhibited great remorse for her conduct when the Police took her Statement in presence of her lawyer.
He also informed that he has reached out to the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and appealed to them to lift the life-time flying ban imposed on her, to which they agreed. He said the details of the resolution will be made public by the AON subsequently.
In the case of KWAM 1,the Minister said that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will also work with the music star with a view to engaging him as an ambassador for proper airport security protocol going forward.
Concerning Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and the co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba of ValueJet, Keyamo stated that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is to restore their licenses after the same period of one-month ban after undergoing some mandatory professional re-appraisal. He said the details will also be announced by the NCAA.
Keyamo noted that the decisions were taken by Government and the airline operators purely on compassionate grounds as Government will never pander to base sentiments, politically-motivated views or warped legal opinions when clear encroachment of the laws are involved.
“In the last 48 hours, I have been in consultation with critical stakeholders in the Aviation Sector and those involved in the unfortunate incidents regarding the unruly behaviours of certain individuals at our airports of recent.
“Though regrettable, we think valuable lessons have been learnt by all sides to these incidents and airport security protocol, especially, have been well highlighted for the travelling public. If nothing at all, the episodes have undoubtedly helped to raise public awareness about appropriate conduct within the aviation space.
“As highlighted in my previous statements on the last two incidents, clear wrongs were committed by both the offending passengers and staff of the airlines involved from all the evidence available to us and the public. It is clear that all the actors involved cannot continue to highlight the injury or injustice done to them without acknowledging their own equal culpability.
“I have directed all relevant Aviation agencies in collaboration with other complementary agencies outside aviation to IMMEDIATELY begin a retreat NEXT WEEK to properly retrain and prepare our Aviation security personnel on how to deal with errant and disruptive passengers and how to deescalate potentially explosive situations. The retreat will be fully covered by the Press with the opportunity to ask all the relevant questions.
“The Airlines will also have their own session when the conduct and attitude of their staff towards members of the travellingn public will be in full focus.”
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