The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has revealed potential price manipulation by some domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season, raising concerns about consumer protection and competition in Nigeria’s aviation sector.
An interim report released by the Commission’s Department of Surveillance and Investigations on Thursday indicated that ticket fares were significantly higher during the festive period compared with post-peak levels in January 2026, despite stable operating costs such as aviation fuel, taxes, and foreign exchange rates. The analysis suggested that the price increases reflected discretionary decisions by airlines rather than external cost pressures.
The report also highlighted patterns indicating possible deliberate supply constraints, with peak fares clustering on high-demand routes such as Abuja–Port Harcourt, where ticket prices reached as high as N405,000 in some cases. The FCCPC noted that median fares surged during the festive season compared to January benchmarks, though factors like seasonal demand and fleet utilization were still being assessed.
Tunji Bello, FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, said the exercise is part of the Commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure competitive market practices. He emphasized that the report is interim and that a full structural and route-level analysis will guide any regulatory actions.
The report identified potential violations under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, price-fixing, and unfair contract terms. Relevant sections cited include prohibitions against restraint of competition, abuse of dominant position, conspiracy, and unfair dealings with consumers.
Bello added that the probe will be extended to international airlines, following complaints that Nigerians often pay higher fares than passengers in neighbouring countries on similar routes.
Airline operators, however, have pushed back. Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), criticized the FCCPC, arguing the agency lacks the technical expertise to assess airfare pricing and that the intervention could harm domestic carriers.
The FCCPC’s ongoing investigation could influence pricing transparency and competitive practices in Nigeria’s aviation sector, particularly during peak travel periods.
