FCCPC Uncovers Alleged Price Fixing Among Domestic Airlines

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has issued an interim report examining domestic airline ticket pricing during the 2025 festive period, revealing signs of price coordination by certain local carriers.

The findings were detailed in a document released by the Commission’s Department of Surveillance and Investigations, following an industry-wide probe that was announced in January.

In a statement signed by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, it was noted that the forensic review was based on data collected from airlines operating on domestic routes.

The report evaluates ticket prices recorded during the December 2025 festive season against those charged in the post-peak period of January 2026.

Preliminary findings indicate that fares during the December travel rush were markedly higher than those observed after the peak season across multiple routes, even though major operating factors such as aviation fuel costs, government levies and foreign exchange rates remained relatively stable.

For example, on routes like Abuja to Port Harcourt, fares during the festive peak were several multiples higher than prices recorded after the season.

On some routes reviewed, the price gap for a single ticket rose to approximately ₦405,000.

Median ticket prices across the sampled routes also experienced a significant spike during the festive window when compared with post-peak benchmarks.

The interim findings, however, recognise that heightened seasonal demand, limited flight schedules and aircraft deployment levels can also affect pricing during busy travel periods.

Reacting to the report, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Tunji Bello, stated that the review is part of the Commission’s statutory responsibility to foster fair competition and safeguard consumers.

He emphasised that the document is provisional, adding that any further steps will be guided by conclusions reached at the end of the investigation.

According to him, the Commission will subsequently decide whether to introduce regulatory directives, initiate stakeholder engagement or apply enforcement actions as provided by law.

Bello also disclosed that foreign airlines will be subjected to review after the ongoing investigation into local carriers, following complaints that Nigerians are being charged excessive fares on certain international routes compared with prices in neighbouring countries covering similar distances.