…preliminary findings reveal fare abuse over festive period
By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered evidence of alleged price manipulation by domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season, raising fresh concerns over consumer exploitation and anti-competitive practices in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
The findings were contained in an interim report released on Thursday by the Commission’s Surveillance and Investigations Department following an industry-wide probe launched in January 2026.
According to a statement issued by the FCCPC Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the forensic review analysed fare data submitted by airlines operating domestic routes and compared ticket prices during the December festive peak with those recorded in the post-peak period of January 2026.
The preliminary results showed that ticket fares during the festive season were significantly higher across multiple routes, despite relative stability in key operational cost drivers such as aviation fuel prices, government taxes, and foreign exchange rates.
The Commission noted that the sharp fare increases appeared to be driven largely by airlines’ internal pricing decisions, including yield management strategies and deliberate capacity adjustments, rather than any regulatory or economic cost changes.
Route-specific analysis revealed that fare spikes often coincided with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable peak travel periods. On several high-traffic routes, fares charged by different airlines were closely aligned within narrow ranges, raising concerns about possible coordinated pricing behaviour.
For example, on the busy Abuja–Port Harcourt route, ticket prices during the festive peak rose dramatically compared to post-peak levels, with price differences for a single ticket reaching as high as ₦405,000. Median fares across several domestic routes also surged sharply during the holiday window.
However, the Commission acknowledged that seasonal demand pressure, aircraft scheduling limitations, and fleet utilisation constraints may also have contributed to higher fares, adding that these factors remain under detailed review.
Commenting on the report, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Tunji Bello, said the investigation was part of the Commission’s legal mandate to ensure fair competition and protect Nigerian consumers.
“This assessment is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. The Commission’s role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity, but to ensure that market outcomes remain consistent with competition and consumer protection principles under the law,” Bello said.
He emphasised that the report remains preliminary and that further structural and route-level analysis is ongoing before any final regulatory or enforcement decisions are taken.
“It is important to emphasise that this is an interim report. Our next action will be dictated by full facts established at the end of the review exercise. Then, the Commission will decide whether any regulatory guidance, engagement or enforcement steps are necessary, strictly in accordance with the law,” he added.
The FCCPC said the ongoing investigation may involve potential violations of several provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including sections dealing with restraint of competition, abuse of market dominance, price fixing, conspiracy, unfair contract terms, and consumer rights protections.
Meanwhile, Bello disclosed that the Commission will also investigate foreign airlines operating in Nigeria following widespread complaints that international carriers charge Nigerian travellers significantly higher fares compared to passengers travelling similar distances from neighbouring countries.
The planned probe, he said, is aimed at ensuring fairness, transparency, and compliance with competition laws across both domestic and international aviation markets.
The development signals increased regulatory scrutiny of airline pricing practices and could have significant implications for Nigeria’s aviation industry if violations are formally established.
