Amid growing public outcry over soaring domestic airfares, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has widened its ongoing investigation into airline ticket pricing on select domestic routes.
The Commission says the expanded probe will examine pricing templates used by some airlines, following complaints of possible coordinated manipulation and consumer exploitation—particularly on routes in the South-East and South-South—as the festive season begins.
The investigation focuses on operators on the affected routes and seeks to determine whether pricing practices violate provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
Earlier this year, Air Peace instituted a court action to restrain the Commission from reviewing its pricing model after public complaints triggered an initial inquiry. FCCPC clarified that the expanded investigation is without prejudice to that pending case.
Speaking on the Commission’s mandate, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr. Tunji Bello, said the agency is not a price control board but is empowered by law to prevent consumer exploitation. He stressed that the Commission will act whenever credible evidence shows that consumer welfare or market competitiveness is being undermined.
Sections 17(b) and 17(e) of the FCCPA empower the FCCPC to monitor economic activities and conduct investigations into anti-competitive and anti-consumer practices.
While prices are expected to reflect market forces, the Commission noted that the Act prohibits excessive, opaque, misleading, or collusive pricing. In light of reported arbitrary fare hikes, FCCPC is reviewing pricing patterns, the justification for increases, and any conduct that may distort fair competition. Where violations are established, appropriate enforcement measures will follow.
The Commission says updates on the aviation sector investigation will be provided in due course.
