- FCCPC May Sanction Airlines Over Alleged Fare Hike During Festive Season
- Investigation found fares rose from ₦50,000 to as high as ₦670,000.
- Commission may order airlines to refund passengers who paid excessive fares.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has said it may sanction five domestic airlines over alleged price fixing during the 2025 Christmas and New Year travel period.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the commission disclosed this on Thursday after receiving numerous complaints from travellers who said they paid significantly higher fares for domestic flights during the festive season.
The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, revealed the development while briefing State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Bello said the commission launched an investigation after reports indicated that ticket prices on several domestic routes increased sharply during the peak holiday period.
According to him, preliminary investigations have been completed and the commission is currently reviewing enforcement options, including the possibility of asking airlines to refund passengers who paid excessive fares.
He said, “We investigated the following complaints that airline ticket prices increased sharply during the Christmas period. Prices that were ordinarily around ₦45,000 to ₦50,000 suddenly rose to between ₦400,000 and ₦670,000.
“So we followed up through our investigation and were able to conclude that there were indications of a price-fixing mechanism.”
Bello noted that the findings suggested that some airlines might have engaged in coordinated pricing practices during the period.
An interim report released earlier by the commission also showed that fares recorded during the December 2025 festive travel period were significantly higher than those observed in January 2026 when travel demand reduced.
He explained that on some domestic routes the difference between peak and off peak ticket prices ranged between ₦405,000 and ₦650,000 per passenger.
Bello said although seasonal demand and operational costs could influence airfare pricing, the commission is examining whether the practice violated provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act relating to anti competitive agreements and price fixing.
“Consumer rights must be respected as guaranteed under the provisions of the FCCPA,” he said.
The FCCPC boss also disclosed that the commission is reviewing the pricing practices of foreign airlines operating routes into Nigeria to ensure that passengers are not subjected to unfair charges.
Also speaking, the FCCPC Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, clarified that the commission does not regulate prices directly.
He explained that the agency’s responsibility is to prevent exploitative practices and protect consumers from unfair pricing.
Odion added that the commission will continue monitoring consumer protection issues across different sectors of the Nigerian economy.
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https://youtu.be/MiuEWwKIBwI?si=FqIMGHRFt6eM3nEr
