How passenger unruly behaviour undermines safety gains in aviation sector-FAAN MD

• Conflicts in aviation linked to communication breakdown-Dati

    The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has expressed concerns that the aviation industry is increasingly confronting behavioural and interpersonal challenges, hinting that incidents involving unruly passengers, staff conflicts, stakeholder tensions, and non-compliance with safety protocols threaten to undermine the hard-earned progress they have made in safety and service excellence.

Kuku, who spoke at this year’s FAAN’s Aviation Safety Week with the theme: “Navigating Conflict for a Safer Aviation in Nigeria”, disclosed that over the past few days, they have collectively reflected, engaged, and acted on issues central to their shared goal—a safer, more secure, and resilient aviation industry.

As an agency, she said they have taken decisive steps to curb or reduce unruly behavior at the aerodromes by training their frontline personnel in conflict de-escalation and behavioural awareness, enhance passenger facilitation processes to reduce stress and miscommunication, strengthen inter-agency collaboration to ensure clarity of roles and unified responses to conflict and and above all, foster a culture of respect, professionalism, and accountability across all our airports.

“No single organisation can build safety in isolation. Safety is collective, and so must our response be. We must shift from siloed efforts to integrated safety strategies, where security agencies, airlines, handlers, concessionaires, unions, and the regulator work in complete synergy.

Former Plateau State Commissioner of Information and a former General Manager, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati said many of the conflicts in the aviation industry that have resulted in air rage or what is generally described as ‘unruly behavious’ stem from communication breakdowns, leadership challenges, workload stress, or cultural differences, adding that if unmanaged, they can erode teamwork, compromise judgment, and ultimately threaten safety.

Dati, in his keynote address at the FAAN Safety Week, noted that aviation, by its very nature, is a complex system that relies on precision, coordination, and human cooperation.

 Beneath the technological sophistication of aircraft and the rigour of safety standards lies one fundamental truth: conflict is inevitable where human interaction exists saying what truly matters is not the presence of conflict, but how it can be managed and navigated to enhance safety, efficiency, and trust within the aviation ecosystem.

He said, “Conflict in aviation can take many forms between pilots and air traffic controllers, crew members and management, unions and regulatory authorities, or even passengers and cabin crew. Similarly, conflicts in the aviation sector can arise from multiple sources, including labour relations between management and airline unions, competition among airlines, disputes over airspace management, and conflicts between civil aviation authorities and operators.”

“Safety-related conflicts may emerge from differing interpretations of international aviation standards and regulations, such as those established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). If not properly managed, these conflicts can disrupt flight operations, compromise safety standards, and erode public confidence in air transport”.

He disclosed that globally, the aviation industry had witnessed several incidents linked to poor conflict management or inadequate safety oversight.

He listed airspace disputes in conflict-prone regions, security breaches arising from terrorism or sabotage, and coordination failures among regulatory bodies as having underscored the urgent need for collaborative mechanisms for conflict resolution.

“The aviation industry in Nigeria has experienced a significant increase in incidents involving unruly passengers over the past decade, posing serious challenges to operational efficiency and, at times, compromising aviation safety.”

The Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Engr. Umar Farouk Ahmed said in an environment as dynamic and complex as ours, conflicts are inevitable, noting that they could be operational, procedural, or human.

He, however, said what matters is how the crises are managed and resolved, which defines maturity as an industry.

Over the years, he said NAMA has continued to invest in modern air navigation systems, capacity building, and human factor development, all aimed at enhancing air traffic management efficiency and safety.

Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Safety Standards and Regulations, David Zacharias, said as representatives of the people, the National Assembly, through the Committee, remains steadfast in supporting all initiatives aimed at strengthening safety standards, improving regulatory compliance, and promoting the welfare of workers across the aviation industry and other sectors alike.

The Committee commended FAAN for its proactive efforts in fostering a culture of safety, though Safety is a continuous process, areas of improvement should be looked into.

He urged FAAN to sustain partnerships among government agencies, operators, and professionals to advance Nigeria’s commitment to global aviation safety best practices.

Wole Shadare