The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has directed that all passengers must now switch off their mobile phones and portable electronic devices completely while aboard aircraft, ending the option of using flight mode.
The directive was issued by the NCAA Director General, who said the move was necessary to stop the confusion caused by airlines implementing different rules regarding device usage. According to Mediaplusng.com, this uniform policy will apply across all Nigerian airlines.
“As a takeaway and to avoid ambiguity and confusion, all mobile phones and other portable electronic devices should be switched off during the critical stages of flight on all Nigerian airlines. Switched off. There is nothing like flight mode any longer,” the NCAA DG stated.
The NCAA further instructed all Nigerian air operators to amend their operating manuals to reflect the new requirement and submit them for approval. This development, according to Mediaplusng.com, underscores the agency’s commitment to safety and consistency in aviation practices.
The DG added that the authority will continue to review the policy in the future as aircraft technology improves. He emphasized that while it is the crew’s duty to communicate the directive to passengers, it remains the passengers’ responsibility to comply.
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