Global Carriers Lose $60bn Annually to Unruly Passengers, Others
Conflict arising from flight infractions including the activities of unruly passengers, poor airport infrastructure, delays and cancellations as well overlapping mandates of aeronautical agencies is causing global airlines, including carriers on Nigeria to lose an estimated $60 billion annually.
Unruly passengers conduct and other infractions, which could trigger flight delay according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) , alone cost the industry approximately $30 billion annually.
To mitigate the impact of such development on air travel, aeronautical agencies are scaling up measures by harmonising safety protocols and procedures for processing passengers, so as not to erode the confidence of air travel.
Investigations by The Nation reveal that players in the ecosystem are ramping up efforts to reduce possible cause of conflict in the processes leading to organizing a flight.
In Nigeria, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), gathered industry players to examine the impact of conflict in achieving safer air travel.
Speaking on the development, former General Manager , Public Affairs, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Yakubu Dati called on regulators in the aviation sector to integrate conflict management frameworks into their safety oversight duties.
Besides, he said training institutions should embed human relations and organisational psychology into aviation curricula.
He also urged airlines to see investment in human factors and communication training as essential, not optional strategies to improve the overall business.
According to Dati, in an era marked by increasing operational complexity, workforce diversity, and passenger expectations, the ability to navigate conflict by industry players will define the next frontier of aviation safety.
Speaking further , Dati said effective management of conflicts could bring about reduced safety incidents and near misses as communication and coordination efforts get some improvement.
He said effective management of conflict could also bring about enhanced crew morale and psychological well-being as well as better decision-making under pressure.
Dati said, “Stronger organisational safety culture, characterised by openness, accountability and continuous improvement is essential for the ecosystem.
“In essence, conflict resolution and aviation safety are two sides of the same coin; one cannot flourish without the other.”
To build safer skies, Dati said, “We must strengthen our institutional capacity to manage conflicts at all levels. This involves Promoting open communication. Encourage a culture where safety concerns can be raised without fear of retribution. Transparency and dialogue build trust.
“Aviation personnel, whether pilots, engineers, or managers, should receive training in negotiation, mediation, and emotional intelligence. Leadership by example: Safety leadership requires humility, empathy, and fairness. Leaders must model calmness in conflict situations and guide their teams toward solutions rather than blame.
He said, “Aviation, by its very nature, is a complex system that relies on precision, coordination, and human cooperation. Yet, beneath the technological sophistication of our aircraft and the rigour of our safety standards lies one fundamental truth: conflict is inevitable where human interaction exists. What truly matters is not the presence of conflict, but how we manage and navigate it to enhance safety, efficiency, and trust within the aviation ecosystem.
Giving further insight on the matter , Dati said, “In Africa, and particularly in Nigeria, challenges such as industrial strikes, inter-agency rivalry, resource mismanagement, and infrastructural deficits further highlight the importance of conflict management strategies in promoting aviation safety and sustainability.
“The aviation industry in Nigeria has experienced a significant increase in incidents involving unruly passengers over the past decade, posing serious challenges to operational efficiency and, at times, compromising aviation safety. The International Air Transport Association (IATA, 2024) reports that disruptive passenger events now occur at a rate of 1 in every 568 flights, with verbal abuse, intoxication, and non-compliance among the leading causes.