Nigeria’s aviation market is under scrutiny after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) uncovered suspicious fare spikes by domestic airlines during the 2025 festive season.
In an interim report, the Commission said ticket prices surged sharply in December—far beyond January levels—despite stable fuel costs, taxes, and exchange rates, pointing to possible price manipulation rather than genuine cost pressures.
Investigators found that on major routes like Abuja–Port Harcourt, fares skyrocketed during peak travel, with ticket differences hitting as high as ₦405,000. Prices across multiple airlines were also tightly clustered, raising further concerns about coordinated pricing behavior.
While seasonal demand and limited seat availability were acknowledged, the FCCPC said the patterns suggest deliberate pricing decisions, including capacity control and yield strategies.
FCCPC boss, Tunji Bello, said the probe aims to protect consumers and ensure fair competition—not disrupt legitimate business. He stressed that the findings are preliminary, with deeper analysis ongoing before any enforcement action.
The Commission is also weighing potential violations of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, including price-fixing, abuse of dominance, and unfair practices.
Speaking on the foreign airlines, Bello says they will be investigated next over complaints of excessive fares on international routes.
