The Federal Government has announced plans to sanction six airlines over alleged increases in domestic airfares following an investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
The FCCPC launched an industry-wide investigation in January 2026 after receiving complaints from passengers about high ticket prices on domestic routes during the December 2025 festive travel period.
The probe examined airfare data provided by airlines operating in Nigeria. The commission compared ticket prices during the December festive period with fares recorded in January 2026 after the peak travel season.
According to the commission, the investigation forms part of its statutory mandate to promote competition and protect consumers in Nigerian markets.
The FCCPC stated that preliminary findings from its review indicated that ticket prices on several domestic routes were significantly higher during the festive season compared with post-peak fares in January.
The commission said the price differences occurred despite relative stability in major cost drivers such as aviation fuel prices, government taxes, and foreign exchange rates during the same period.
According to the interim report, analysis of route-level data showed that fare increases coincided with reduced seat availability during periods of high travel demand.
The review also noted that on some high-traffic routes, including the Abuja to Port Harcourt corridor, festive fares were several times higher than those recorded after the holiday period.
In some instances, the difference between peak-period fares and post-peak prices reached about ₦405,000 for a single ticket on certain routes.
The FCCPC stated that the findings could relate to provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, including sections dealing with anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominant position, and unfair contract terms.
The commission indicated that enforcement measures may follow if the investigation confirms violations of competition and consumer protection laws.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tunji Bello said the review is intended to clarify airline pricing behaviour during predictable peak travel periods and ensure that market practices comply with consumer protection regulations.
