The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have condemned the recent conduct of former Edo State governor, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, at Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The group described the incident as another example of growing unruly behaviour by airline passengers and urged for greater respect towards domestic airlines and aviation staff.
The AON made their concerns known on Friday through their spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo. He described the senator’s actions as “a typical case of unruly behaviour” and said it should not be tolerated.
According to Okonkwo, such incidents are becoming more common, and they put unnecessary pressure on aviation workers who already go the extra mile to serve passengers.
Air Peace Deserves Respect, Says AON
Speaking at an event in Lagos where United Nigeria Airlines joined the SIBAS Global Distribution System, Okonkwo said passengers must understand their rights within the rules of the aviation industry.
“As much as we appreciate and understand that every passenger has a right, your right is only limited to what is allowed within the International Civil Aviation Organisation and the aviation industry,” he stated.
He argued that disappointment with flight issues should never lead to aggressive behaviour. “There is no amount of disappointment that gives the right to self-help,” he said. He pointed out that Air Peace, the airline involved in the incident, carries 40 to 50 per cent of Nigeria’s domestic air traffic and should be respected.
“It is somebody’s investment,” Okonkwo said. “It is not right to demonise the airline. It is way too far from discussing the issues.” He also criticised Oshiomhole’s statements, saying they lacked logic and failed to consider how airlines operate.
“There is no airline who will not want to carry its passengers,” he added. “We go through a lot and bend ourselves to satisfy our passengers.”
Aviation Minister Orders Investigation
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed that he had spoken directly with both parties involved in the incident.
Writing on his X handle, he called for calm while confirming that he had ordered a formal investigation.
“In the wake of the incident at the Lagos Airport last Wednesday involving Air Peace airline and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, I have been in direct contact with both parties since that morning,” he wrote. “I also directed the aviation agencies to exercise restraint in jumping to conclusions in line with the time-honoured legal principle of ‘hear all sides’ before reaching judgment.”
He appealed to both sides to stop making public accusations and counter-accusations. “I am further directing the relevant aviation agencies to thoroughly look into the issue, collect all available evidence and revert to my office so we can deal with the issue in such a way as to guide future conducts in similar situations,” Keyamo said.
AON also expressed disappointment that two days after the incident, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had not made a public statement explaining what happened.
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