6 yrs after protocol ratification, air passengers’ unruly conduct surges

Six years after Nigeria ratified the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Montreal Protocol 2014 (MP14) to address unruly behavior among airline passengers, incidents of disruptive conduct have surged. The MP14, which came into force on January 1, 2020, aims to eliminate unruly behavior on international flights.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) commended Nigeria for ratifying the protocol, which strengthens the power of states to prosecute unruly passengers. Instances of unruly behavior include physical assault, harassment, smoking, and failure to follow crew instructions, compromising flight safety.

IATA's Director General urged more states to ratify the protocol to ensure uniform global prosecution of unruly passengers. In Nigeria, cases of unruly passengers have increased over the past decade, with incidents ranging from physical assaults to destruction of airline property.

Airlines have called for stronger enforcement mechanisms to deter such behavior.