…..says, silence from FAAN “Disappointing”
The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines and spokesperson of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has broken his silence following the controversial incident involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole at the Lagos airport, describing the lawmaker’s conduct as a “clear case of unruly passenger behaviour.”
Speaking with aviation reporters in Lagos in the wake of the public uproar that followed the senator’s confrontation with airline officials, after allegedly missing his flight, Prof. Okonkwo said the aviation industry in Nigeria has suffered enough disruptions and should not be further burdened by high-profile acts of misconduct.
“What happened at the airport on Wednesday is very unfortunate,” Okonkwo said.
“Airlines in Nigeria, including Air Peace, which carried nearly half of all domestic passengers, are doing their best to offer services under challenging circumstances. No passenger, no matter their status, has the right to resort to self-help or disrupt airline operations. What we witnessed was a textbook case of unruly behavior, which must be condemned.”
He maintained that while passengers have rights, those rights are framed within aviation industry rules and the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
“You cannot demonize an airline just because you’re displeased with a schedule. That kind of behavior reflects personal malice and is a distraction to operators trying hard to meet performance expectations”.
Reacting to reports that the flight in question had left on time, he said it was ironic that airlines get blamed both for delays and for punctual departures.
“Here is an airline trying to be on time and yet facing backlash. When they delay, people complain. When they don’t, people still complain. Air Peace was willing to lose revenue just to maintain an on-time reputation. That should be applauded, not vilified.”
The AON spokesperson also raised concerns about the lack of a formal statement from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which he said has both the infrastructure and responsibility to clarify the matter.
“FAAN is the landlord of the airport. They should have all the facts, CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts. Yet, they have remained silent. This silence is disappointing”.
He emphasized that the issue goes beyond one airline or one passenger.
“This could happen to any operator. We declared in January that one of the biggest threats to aviation in Nigeria in 2025 is unruly passenger behaviour and it is now showing up across all strata of society. There must not be two sets of rules: one for VIPs and one for ordinary passengers. If you break the rules, you must face the consequences.”
He confirmed that AON is in consultation with Air Peace on possible actions but hinted that there had been “interventions from other places.”
Still, he stressed that passenger misconduct must not be swept under the carpet, noting, “This cannot continue. Can any of our VIPs try this abroad and get away with it?”
Addressing separate concerns about alleged ticket racketeering at airports, Prof. Okonkwo said travelers have access to the airline’s Global Distribution System (GDS) and can make legitimate bookings online.
He acknowledged that racketeering could occur through external actors or unscrupulous staff but insisted that airlines do not benefit from such activities.
“If someone reports a case of racketeering involving United Nigeria Airlines staff, we will apply our internal disciplinary procedures,” he stated. “But this should not be used as a justification for disrupting flights or taking the law into your own hands.”
On the issue of check-in procedures, the airline boss clarified that even after checking in online, passengers must still present themselves physically at the airport within the required time.
“If you arrive late and the manifest has already been submitted to the pilot, it’s out of the airline’s hands. You cannot be added to the flight unless there is express approval from the pilot and a slot in the system. These are global aviation standards,” he explained.
He urged passengers to cooperate with airlines for timely departures, stressing that delays are often the result of late check-ins.
“When passengers show up late, they don’t just inconvenience themselves, they disrupt the entire operation. Meanwhile, airlines lose money each time they leave someone behind or delay flights. That’s the reality.”
Prof. Okonkwo also revealed that on the same day of the incident, Air Peace suffered two separate bird strikes at different airports, further compounding the operational pressures of the airline.
He noted that this again underscored the need for better coordination and support from airport authorities.
“This is too much, we are stretched, we are working hard, and we need all stakeholders, including passengers, regulators, and the public—to support the system, not sabotage it.”
