Unruly behaviour in aviation is a serious offence that threatens lives and must be met with strict action, forensic expert Abiodun Osiyemi has warned.
Speaking on Sunrise Daily on Channels TV on Wednesday, Osiyemi said, “Unruly behaviour can range from hijacking a plane, in other words, you go to the cockpit, punch the captain or whatever — and that is a very heinous, serious offence.
“It can include beating any passenger or any cabin crew member. It can even prevent the motion of the plane, which threatens other people and other persons in the Airdrop,” he said.
He stressed that aviation offences are as serious as those in medicine because errors can cost lives.
“Unruly behaviour in the aviation industry is particularly serious, just like the medical environment because the damage is usually as a result of life,” he explained.
On in-flight instructions, Osiyemi explained that compliance rules differ across jurisdictions but can be absolute.
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“’Switch off your phone’ is different from ‘Put your phone in flight mode’. In some air spaces, they permit you to put your phone in flight mode. In some environments and flights, it is switched off. Therefore, there is no ambiguity about compliance with the instruction; it is absolute.”
He commended Nigerians, regulators, and law enforcement for their handling of the ValueJet and Ibom Air cases.
“What should have come first is to thank the entire citizens and public in Nigeria because of their concern and interest in the subject matter… to also thank the regulators on their recent decision because it is a learning curve and very proactive, and to thank the law enforcement agents and the police for their role.”
On passenger awareness, he criticised the current ticket agreement process as inadequate.
Source: Channels TV
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