FCCPC Probes Unusual Price Swings in Domestic Airline Tickets

Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says its recent market review has revealed concerning trends in how some home‑based airlines set ticket prices over the last festive season. The agency’s interim findings suggest that fares soared sharply during the December travel rush and then dropped significantly in January, even though major cost factors like aviation fuel, taxes, and foreign exchange rates did not change much.

According to the Commission, the unusual spike in fares — with differences on some routes reaching hundreds of thousands of naira — points to possible arbitrary pricing decisions rather than normal market fluctuations. The data review compared ticket levels across several domestic corridors and found that peak travel periods recorded much higher charges despite stable operating conditions.

The FCCPC said the analysis remains at an early stage and does not yet conclude whether laws were broken. Officials noted that tight seat availability and seasonal demand could partly explain the price movements, but they added these factors are still under examination.

The Commission’s chief executive stated that further investigation will determine whether regulatory action or formal enforcement is needed. In addition to the probe of local carriers, the FCCPC plans to look into pricing patterns by foreign airlines following complaints from passengers about expensive international fares. The review forms part of the FCCPC’s mandate to promote fair competition and protect consumer interests in Nigeria’s aviation market.