FCCPC to Sanction Airlines Over 2025 Yuletide Price Hikes
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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced it will sanction several airlines over excessive fare increases during the 2025 Yuletide season. The commission said these measures are aimed at protecting consumers from exploitative pricing.
Executive Vice Chairman Tunji Bello revealed that preliminary investigations showed domestic airline tickets, normally priced between ₦145,000 and ₦150,000, surged to between ₦405,000 and ₦600,000 during the festive period. The spike occurred despite stable aviation fuel costs, government charges, and exchange rates.
Bello described the situation as a potential case of collusion among airlines. “Our preliminary report finds airlines wanting. The final report will be issued soon, and refunds will be demanded where passengers were overcharged,” he said.
Analysis of the fares revealed arbitrary pricing decisions rather than regulatory changes. Peak fares coincided with predictable seasonal demand spikes, with some routes like Abuja–Port Harcourt seeing single-ticket differences reaching approximately ₦405,000.
The FCCPC boss also warned fuel marketers against exploiting the ripple effects of global oil market shocks, noting that price monitoring teams are tracking changes in fuel and other essential commodities nationwide.
Bello emphasized that the commission is working closely with regulators in the petroleum sector to ensure compliance with fair pricing trends. “If suppliers reduce prices and some stations still sell high, we will intervene,” he stated.
He also highlighted that most consumer complaints come from the energy, financial technology, and telecommunications sectors. Issues cited include electricity supply, fintech service charges, telecom billing, and bank transactions.
Between March and August 2025, the FCCPC resolved over 9,000 complaints, recovering more than ₦10 billion for consumers. Bello urged Nigerians to report violations formally through the commission’s platforms to ensure enforcement and effective market regulation.
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