The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has concluded preliminary investigations into domestic airline pricing during the December 2025 festive period, finding five airlines guilty of colluding to fix fares, the Commission announced on Thursday.
Dr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of the FCCPC, disclosed the findings during a State House ‘Meet the Press’ session, noting that the offending airlines may soon be required to refund excess charges to affected customers.
Fare spikes reportedly reached as high as ₦405,000 to ₦600,000 on some domestic routes during the peak holiday season.
According to the FCCPC’s earlier interim report, its Surveillance and Investigations Department compared domestic airline fares during the festive period with post-peak January 2026 levels.
The review showed that ticket prices on several routes were significantly higher, despite relatively stable operating costs, including fuel, taxes, and foreign exchange.
The analysis suggested that some of the price surges were not explained by operational factors such as seasonal demand or fleet utilisation, but reflected arbitrary pricing decisions, capacity allocation, and potential collusion among the airlines.
Busy routes such as Abuja–Port Harcourt saw single-ticket fares spike by up to ₦405,000 compared with post-peak rates.
Commenting on the update, Bello emphasized the Commission’s mandate to protect consumers and promote fair competition.
“Our goal is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity but to ensure that market outcomes align with competition and consumer protection laws,” he said.
The Commission also indicated that foreign carriers will be reviewed following complaints about allegedly exploitative pricing compared with neighbouring countries.
Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC, highlighted the legal framework underpinning the investigation, citing the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which prohibits price-fixing, abuse of dominant position, and agreements that restrain competition.