FCCPC Uncovers Price-Fixing by Local Airlines in Christmas Fare Gouge

By Linda Ike

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has nailed local airlines for collusive price-fixing during the 2025 Christmas travel peak, with an interim report showing fares up to ₦405,000 higher than post-holiday levels.

The findings, from FCCPC’s Surveillance and Investigations Department released Thursday, stem from a January-launched probe using airline data.

In a statement, Ondaje Ijagwu, FCCPC Corporate Affairs Director said domestic routes like Abuja-Port Harcourt saw clustered peak fares despite stable fuel prices, taxes, and forex pointing to yield management and capacity cuts, not costs.

It stated that Median fares spiked across sampled routes, with tight pricing bands among operators signaling cartel behavior.

The report cites potential breaches of the 2018 FCCPC Act, including bans on anti-competitive agreements (Section 59), dominance abuse (72), and price-fixing (107).

Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, Tunji Bello emphasised ongoing analysis, “This clarifies peak pricing under law, final facts will drive enforcement, not disruption.”

He said this review is part of the Commission’s statutory responsibility to promote competitive markets and safeguard consumers.

“This assessment is intended to provide clarity on pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods. The Commission’s role is not to disrupt legitimate commercial activity, but to ensure that market outcomes remain consistent with competition and consumer protection principles under the law.

“It is important to emphasise that this is an interim report. Our next action will be dictated by full facts established at the end of the review exercise. Then, the Commission will decide whether any regulatory guidance, engagement or enforcement steps are necessary, strictly in accordance with the law,” he said.

Seasonal demand gets consideration, but foreign airlines loom next over complaints of exploitative fares versus regional peers.