<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered what it describes as clear patterns of price manipulation by several domestic airlines during the 2025 Christmas festive rush, raising concerns over possible price fixing and anti-competitive practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an interim report released on Thursday, February 26, 2026, by its Department of Surveillance and Investigations, the Commission detailed how airfares surged dramatically during the December peak season, despite relative stability in key cost drivers such as aviation fuel prices, government taxes and foreign exchange rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The findings were disclosed in a statement signed by the FCCPC\u2019s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, recalling that the Commission had in January launched an industry-wide probe into airline pricing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Peak Fares Skyrocket Without Cost Justification<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the report, a forensic review of data submitted by airlines operating domestic routes showed that fares during the December 2025 festive period were materially higher than those charged in January 2026 after the travel rush subsided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preliminary analysis suggested that the sharp increases were not tied to regulatory charges or operational costs but rather to what the Commission described as arbitrary pricing decisions, including yield management strategies and capacity allocation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On major routes, higher fares aligned with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand spikes. On high-density corridors, fares were reportedly clustered within narrow bands across multiple operators \u2014 a trend that raises red flags over possible coordinated pricing behaviour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For instance, on routes such as Abuja\u2013Port Harcourt, peak fares were several times higher than post-peak rates. In some cases, the price difference for a single ticket climbed to about \u20a6405,000, while median fares across sampled routes rose sharply during the festive window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, the Commission noted that factors such as seasonal demand pressure, scheduling limitations and fleet utilisation constraints remain under review as part of the ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FCCPC: Final Verdict Awaits Full Review<\/p>\n\n\n\n
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the exercise falls squarely within the Commission\u2019s statutory mandate to promote competitive markets and protect consumers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe review is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. Our role is not to disrupt legitimate business activity, but to ensure market outcomes align with competition and consumer protection principles under the law,\u201d Bello stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasised that the document is only an interim report, adding that further structural and route-level analysis is underway before any regulatory or enforcement measures are determined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur next steps will be guided strictly by the full facts established at the end of the review,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report cited possible violations under Sections 59, 72, 107, 108, 124 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, covering restraint of competition, abuse of dominance, price fixing, conspiracy, unfair dealings and unjust contract terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ikeja Electric Sanctioned, Foreign Airlines Next<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a related enforcement move, the Commission also shut down Ikeja Electric over a 30-month blackout affecting 19 homes, underscoring its readiness to act against consumer rights violations across sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bello further revealed that foreign airlines will be the next focus of investigation following complaints that Nigerians were charged significantly higher fares on certain international routes compared to passengers flying similar distances from neighbouring countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the spotlight now firmly on the aviation sector, the FCCPC\u2019s final report could trigger sweeping regulatory action aimed at restoring fairness and transparency in Nigeria\u2019s travel market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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