Airline Kicks Out Passenger After Threatening to Burn Plane

A Nigerian airline has removed a passenger from its plane after he reportedly threatened that his anger could "burn down" the aircraft during a fight with the cabin crew before take-off.

This incident happened on an Air Peace flight P47866, which was set to fly to Asaba, Delta State. The passenger, named Celestine Ezeudu, allegedly did not listen to the cabin crew when they asked him to stop taking pictures and put away his device.

Michael Achimugu, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), shared details about the incident on X on Monday.

Mr Achimugu said things escalated when another crew member went to talk to Mr Ezeudu. This led to a disagreement, during which he allegedly made the threat.

"The passenger ignored the instructions and when a second member of the crew approached, an altercation broke out, and the passenger made a statement: ‘The anger I am feeling can burn down this plane,’" Mr Achimugu said.

The crew quickly informed the captain, who decided to turn the plane back at 15:57, so the passenger could be taken off the aircraft.

Mr Ezeudu reportedly followed instructions to leave without causing more trouble. His travel companion also got off the plane willingly.

Mr Achimugu mentioned that the passenger later said his anger was because he missed an earlier flight. He did not think his behavior would cause the plane to return to the ramp.

This incident highlights ongoing issues between passengers and airline staff in Nigeria. Some of these confrontations have caused flight delays, arrests, and penalties.