FCCPC indicts airlines in airfare manipulation probe
...as report cites ₦405,000 price hike during Christmas
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has officially established a case of price fixing and market manipulation against several domestic airlines following a forensic review of festive season travel.
An interim report released on Thursday by the Commission’s Department of Surveillance and Investigations reveals that many local operators arbitrarily hiked fares during the December 2025 peak period, with some ticket prices surging by as much as ₦405,000 compared to post-peak January 2026 levels.
Preliminary findings suggest these increases occurred despite relative stability in critical overheads such as aviation fuel, government taxes, and foreign exchange rates.
According to the Commission's analysis, the price disparities appear to reflect deliberate yield management and capacity allocation decisions rather than fluctuations in regulatory fees.
On high-density corridors like the Abuja-Port Harcourt route, investigators observed that peak fares were clustered within narrow ranges across multiple operators, signaling potential collusion or agreements in restraint of competition.
While the report acknowledges that seasonal demand and fleet utilization play a role in pricing, the FCCPC is currently evaluating whether these actions violate specific provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018 regarding price-fixing and the abuse of dominant market positions.
Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, emphasized that while the report is currently in its interim stage, the Commission’s mandate is to ensure market outcomes remain consistent with consumer protection principles.
He stated that the agency is performing further route-level structural analysis before determining if formal enforcement steps or legal penalties are necessary.
Bello clarified that the investigation is intended to provide clarity on pricing behavior during predictable travel windows without disrupting legitimate commercial activity.
In a significant expansion of the probe, Mr. Bello also announced that foreign airlines will be the next subject of the Commission's scrutiny.
This follows widespread allegations of exploitative pricing, where Nigerians are reportedly charged significantly higher fares for international flights compared to travelers in neighboring countries flying similar distances.
The FCCPC intends to shift its radar to these international carriers immediately following the conclusion of the domestic review to ensure fair dealings for all Nigerian travelers.