A female passenger narrowly escaped being lynched by angry travelers at the Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo after she blocked an Ibom Air flight scheduled to depart for Abuja. The incident caused significant delays, forcing the cancellation of the flight and leaving passengers and crew stranded.
The Incident
The situation began when the airline informed passengers that any luggage exceeding 20kg might not arrive on the same flight but would be sent on the next available one. While most passengers accepted the arrangement, the unnamed woman became furious upon discovering her bag had not been loaded onto the flight.
She disembarked and demanded that her bag be loaded immediately, refusing to allow the flight to depart until her demands were met. Despite attempts by officials from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Aviation Security (AVSEC), and the pilot to mediate, the woman remained adamant.
Pilot’s Efforts and Escalation
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Michael Achimugu, revealed that the pilot even offered to carry the woman’s checked-in bag in the cabin, but it was too large to fit. With Uyo being a sunset airport and the airspace due to close, time was critical for the flight’s departure.
However, the woman continued her protest and, upon re-entering the cabin to retrieve her handbag, blocked the aisle and disrupted the boarding process.
Impact on Passengers
The flight cancellation affected 89 passengers, including:
- An infant.
- A chef en route to fulfill a professional engagement in Abuja.
The disruption caused outrage among passengers, with many charging at the woman in anger. AVSEC officials and Ibom Air personnel, led by Amaka Echetabu, intervened to prevent violence.
“Had Aviation Security not acted promptly, the unruly passenger might have been lynched. Their timely response saved her life,” Achimugu stated.
Airline’s Response
Ibom Air ensured affected passengers received compensation for the disruption:
- Refreshments.
- Transportation for residents of Uyo.
- Hotel accommodation for those traveling from outside the city.
Despite these measures, Achimugu lamented the significant scheduling challenges caused by the disruption, which could take days to resolve.
Call for Passenger Discipline
The NCAA reiterated the importance of passenger discipline and cooperation to ensure smooth flight operations. Achimugu noted that actions like this not only inconvenience other passengers but also disrupt airline schedules, leading to financial and operational setbacks.
The authority warned passengers against unruly behavior, emphasizing that aviation security and personnel will take strict action to prevent such incidents in the future.
