Breaking: Five Airlines Under Investigation For Suspected Fare Collusion During Holiday Rush

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has indicated that it may sanction five domestic airlines over allegations of price fixing during the 2025 Christmas and New Year travel season.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The commission said the decision followed a surge of complaints from passengers who experienced unusually high airfare prices during the festive period.

Speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa on Thursday, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, confirmed that an investigation was initiated after reports of sharp increases in ticket prices on several local routes during peak demand.

He stated that preliminary investigations have been concluded, and the commission is now evaluating possible enforcement measures. These options may include directing airlines to refund passengers who paid excessive fares.

According to Bello, ticket prices that typically ranged between ₦45,000 and ₦50,000 rose dramatically during the holidays, reaching between ₦400,000 and ₦670,000 on certain routes.

He explained that the investigation uncovered indications of possible coordinated pricing practices among some airlines.

The FCCPC is considering requiring airlines to compensate affected passengers, pending the release of its final report, which will outline appropriate actions.

In a formal statement, Bello noted that the commission began reviewing pricing patterns in the domestic aviation sector following widespread consumer complaints.

An interim report released two weeks earlier showed that fares during December 2025 were significantly higher than those recorded in January 2026, when travel demand declined. The report observed that this disparity occurred despite relative stability in fuel costs, regulatory fees, and foreign exchange conditions.

The commission also found that on some routes, the difference between peak-season and off-peak fares ranged from ₦405,000 to ₦650,000 per passenger.

Similar pricing trends were observed across multiple airlines operating high-traffic routes, particularly when seat availability was limited.

While acknowledging that seasonal demand and operational factors can influence pricing, the FCCPC said it is examining whether the conduct contravenes provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) relating to anti-competitive agreements and price fixing.

Bello reiterated that consumer rights must be protected in accordance with the law.

Review of Foreign Airlines

The commission also disclosed that it is assessing the pricing practices of foreign airlines operating flights into Nigeria to ensure passengers are not subjected to unfair charges.

Bello explained that the FCCPC collaborates with sector regulators through formal agreements with agencies such as the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Communications Commission, and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to enforce consumer protection and competition laws where necessary.

The FCCPC’s Executive Commissioner for Operations, Louis Odion, clarified that the agency does not set prices directly. Instead, its mandate is to prevent exploitative practices and protect consumers from unfair market behavior.

He added that the commission will continue monitoring compliance across sectors of the Nigerian economy.