The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expanded its investigation into airline ticket pricing, focusing on fares charged on South-East and South-South routes amid growing public concern as the festive season approaches.
In a statement, the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the inquiry seeks to determine whether airlines have violated provisions of the law in setting ticket prices.
Passengers have raised complaints over what they perceive as coordinated manipulation or exploitation in airfare pricing, particularly on routes serving the South-East and South-South regions.
The Commission recalled that earlier this year, domestic carrier Air Peace approached the court to stop the FCCPC from examining its pricing mechanisms. That move followed the Commission’s initial probe into the airline’s pricing model after widespread public complaints.
The FCCPC clarified that the current inquiry is being carried out without prejudice to the ongoing court case instituted by Air Peace.
FCCPC’s Position
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, explained: “For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board. But the FCCPA 2018 empowers us to check the exploitation of consumers.”
He added: “When we receive petitions or where we find cogent evidence, we will not stand by and watch Nigerian consumers being exploited under any guise.”
The Commission stressed it would intervene where evidence shows consumer welfare or market competitiveness is being undermined.
It cited Section 17(b) of the FCCPA, which authorises monitoring of economic activities to identify anti-competitive practices, and Section 17(e), which empowers investigations deemed necessary.
While reiterating that it does not regulate prices, the FCCPC noted that fair pricing remains a central objective of the Act.
The law provides a framework to protect consumers from excessive, misleading, opaque, or collusive pricing, while encouraging competitive markets where prices are set through fair market forces.
In light of what it described as arbitrary spikes in airfares, the Commission said it is widening its review to cover pricing patterns, justifications for fare increases, and any practices that could distort competition.
“Where evidence confirms a breach of the Act, FCCPC will apply appropriate enforcement measures,” the statement concluded.
Is Nigeria’s aviation sector facing genuine market pressures, or are consumers being trapped in exploitation disguised as Christmas seasonal high demand? What’s your view?
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