The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says it uncovered patterns of price manipulation by domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season.
Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello disclosed this in an interim report released Thursday by the agency’s Department of Surveillance and Investigations.
The report, signed by Director of Corporate Affairs Ondaje Ijagwu, followed an industry-wide probe into alleged exploitative fares.
Bello said the commission compared December 2025 ticket prices with January 2026 levels.
“Preliminary findings indicated that fares recorded during the festive peak were materially higher than those observed in the post-peak period across several routes,” he stated.
He observed that the increases came despite stable aviation fuel prices, taxes, and exchange rates.
The report cited the Abuja–Port Harcourt corridor, where fares were several times higher than post-peak levels. On some routes, single tickets rose by about ₦405,000.
Bello explained that reduced seat availability and yield management strategies appeared to drive the hikes.
He, however, stressed the report is interim, with further analysis ongoing.
Sections of the FCCPC Act addressing price fixing, abuse of dominance, and unfair contract terms may apply.
He added that foreign airlines will also be reviewed after the domestic probe, following complaints of higher fares charged to Nigerian passengers compared with neighboring countries.
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