Critics Slam NCAA’s Airplane Mode Ban as Outdated and Unscientific

ABUJA, NIGERIA — August 20, 2025

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is under growing public scrutiny following its recent enforcement of a ban on passengers using phones — even on airplane mode — during flights. The move has been described by civil society and tech advocacy groups as outdated, unnecessary, and a setback for aviation policy in the digital age.

A leading digital rights group, Tech for Public Good, issued a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, calling the ban “embarrassing” and “not grounded in modern aviation science.” The group urged the NCAA to reverse the directive and align with global standards already adopted by many other countries.

“Banning phones on airplane mode is not only out of touch with global best practices, but it also misinforms the public about how modern aircraft systems work,” said Amina Okon, a spokesperson for the group.
“It creates panic where there should be clarity, and undermines the public’s trust in regulatory institutions.”

Globally, most airlines now allow passengers to use their phones and tablets in airplane mode, particularly during cruising altitude. The technology used in today’s aircraft is well-shielded against possible interference, a fact supported by aviation experts and international regulators such as the FAA (U.S.) and EASA (Europe).

Passengers flying within and outside Nigeria have expressed confusion and frustration, questioning why Nigeria is enforcing a rule that even major international carriers have moved past.

In response to the backlash, the NCAA has maintained that its policy is based on precaution and national safety protocols, but has not yet provided any recent data or incident reports justifying the continued ban.

Aviation analysts say this could be an opportunity for the NCAA to modernize

its approach and engage with stakeholders, including airlines, tech experts, and the flying public.

At its core, the issue highlights a broader need for evidence-based policymaking—especially in a fast-changing digital world. As one frequent flyer put it:
“We’re not asking for miracles. Just policies that reflect reality, not fear.”