The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has issued a clarification on how passenger-related incidents are handled within airport premises, following public reactions to a recent altercation between two passengers aboard a United Nigeria Airlines flight at Asaba Airport.
According to a press released by the director of public affairs and consumer protection, Henry Agbebire, as part of its statutory mandate, FAAN provides Aviation Security (AVSEC) and rescue and firefighting services across all airports in Nigeria, spanning federal, state, and privately operated. AVSEC officers constitute the internal airport security team responsible for maintaining order and ensuring the safety of passengers, personnel, and infrastructure within the airport premises.
- Airline Responsibility for Onboard Incidents When a disturbance occurs on board an aircraft or during the boarding process, the airline bears the primary responsibility for managing and containing the situation. This may include deboarding passengers whose behaviour threatens safety or disrupts operations. Once passengers are removed from the aircraft, the matter then transitions to airport-level procedures.
- AVSEC’s Role in Airport Security Protocols In accordance with Nigerian civil aviation security standards, AVSEC officers:
- Receive any disruptive passengers handed over by the airline;
- Conduct preliminary assessments or profiling as required;
- Ensure order within the terminal and airside environment; and
- Transfer such individuals to the Nigeria Police Force or relevant law-enforcement agencies for further action.
- These steps are standard procedure and apply uniformly across all airports in the country.
- NCAA as the Aviation Regulator The public is kindly reminded that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is the statutory regulator empowered to investigate aviation incidents, determine infractions, and impose sanctions where necessary. Matters involving passenger behaviour, regulatory breaches, or airline compliance fall strictly within the NCAA’s jurisdiction.
This distinction is essential to avoid misconceptions about the responsibilities of operational agencies like FAAN versus the regulatory authority of the NCAA.
- FAAN’s Commitment to Safe and Orderly Airports FAAN remains committed to supporting a safe, secure, and orderly airport environment. Our AVSEC officers continue to work closely with airlines, the NCAA, and law-enforcement agencies to ensure that every incident is managed in line with global aviation standards.
The Authority encourages members of the public to rely on official communication from the appropriate aviation bodies regarding the ongoing review of the recent incident.
FAAN will continue to sensitise airport users on proper conduct and uphold its mandate of ensuring seamless airport operations nationwide.
