FCCPC Expands Investigation Into Airline Ticket Pricing Amid Spike in Fares

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has expanded its ongoing investigation into the pricing templates used by some airlines on domestic routes.

This follows widespread concerns over alleged coordinated manipulation and exploitation in airfares, particularly on routes in the South-East and South-South as the festive season begins.

A statement issued on Friday by the Director of Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the investigation targets operators on the identified routes.

Earlier in the year, Air Peace filed a court action seeking to restrain the Commission from examining its pricing mechanisms after the probe began, following numerous complaints from members of the public.

The current inquiry continues without prejudice to the case instituted against the Commission by the airline.

Clarifying the Commission’s position, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Tunji Bello, said:

“For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board. But the FCCPA 2018 empowers us to check the exploitation of consumers. When we receive petitions or where we find cogent evidence, we will not stand by and watch Nigerian consumers being exploited under any guise.”

He stressed that the Commission will act where evidence shows that consumer welfare or market competitiveness is being undermined.

Section 17(b) of the FCCPA empowers the Commission to monitor economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection, and restrictive practices that may adversely affect consumers, while Section 17(e) enables the Commission to carry out investigations considered necessary.

Although the Commission is not a price control body, fair pricingfccpc remains a core objective of the FCCPA. The Act provides a framework that protects consumers from excessive, opaque, misleading, or collusive pricing practices while promoting competitive markets where prices are driven by fair market dynamics.

Given the arbitrary spike in airfares, the Commission is extending its review of pricing patterns, the basis for the increases reported by consumers, and any practices that could undermine fair competition. Where evidence confirms a breach of the Act, the FCCPC will apply appropriate enforcement measures.

The Commission said it will provide further updates on the aviation investigation in due course.