The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has broadened its probe into alleged exploitative airfare practices on major domestic routes, with particular attention on flights serving the South-South and South-East regions as holiday travel surges.
According to the Commission, an uptick in public complaints over steep ticket price increases, along with what appears to be uniform fare adjustments by some airlines, triggered the expanded investigation.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCPC said the inquiry is now directed at operators flying the impacted routes.
Earlier this year, Air Peace approached the courts seeking to halt the Commission’s examination of its pricing structure after the FCCPC initiated a review following widespread consumer outcry.
Despite the legal challenge, the Commission said its investigation remains ongoing and unaffected.
“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,” FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr Tunji Bello, stated.
The agency emphasized that its mandate includes monitoring market conduct, probing anti-competitive behaviour and intervening where consumers may be subjected to unfair or coordinated pricing.
While reiterating that it does not regulate ticket prices, the Commission noted that the FCCPA places fair pricing at the core of consumer protection and competition, ensuring Nigerians are safeguarded from excessive, opaque or collusive fare regimes.
“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, FCCPC will apply appropriate enforcement measures,” the statement said.
The FCCPC added that further information on the ongoing aviation sector probe will be communicated as the investigation progresses.
