The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong caution to Air Peace over what it describes as attempts to obstruct an ongoing investigation into allegations of exploitative ticket pricing and potential violations of consumer rights.
In a statement released on Sunday by the,
Director, Corporate Affairs FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, the Commission expressed dismay at Air Peace’s recent actions, describing them as efforts to misrepresent the issues and derail the inquiry.
The controversy stems from a meeting between FCCPC officials and Air Peace representatives on December 3 at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
The closed-door meeting was held following numerous complaints from consumers regarding Air Peace’s pricing practices and service delivery.
The FCCPC noted that while it conducted the meeting in camera to preserve confidentiality, misleading information emerged in sections of the media.
These reports wrongly attributed statements to the Commission, declaring that Air Peace was not under investigation, and heavily featured comments from Air Peace’s Chairman, Mr. Allen Onyema.
The Commission emphasized that such misrepresentation undermines the integrity of the inquiry process.
The allegations against Air Peace include unjustified fare hikes on domestic routes, a lack of transparency in pricing, and arbitrary flight cancellations without adequate compensation for passengers.
The Commission revealed that petitions submitted by aggrieved passengers challenge Air Peace’s claim that operating costs justify fares as high as N500,000 to N700,000 for a one-hour domestic flight.
Petitioners argue that the airline’s Boeing 737-500 aircraft, which reportedly requires about N4 million in fuel for a one-hour trip, could generate excessive revenue under such pricing.
The FCCPC further pointed to the contrast with another airline that recently reduced its fares to N80,000 for similar domestic routes, highlighting that affordability and sustainability can coexist.
The Commission also addressed consumer complaints about Air Peace allegedly coordinating fare hikes with smaller competitors and imposing surcharges on passengers forced to reschedule flights after delays or cancellations.
Incidents of passenger unrest were cited, including a November 29 confrontation at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where frustrated Air Peace passengers protested a four-hour delay.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its legal authority to investigate pricing practices across sectors, including aviation, under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
It emphasised that passenger rights as consumers are inalienable and must be protected.
“No amount of blackmail or cowboy tactics can stop the Commission from conducting a thorough investigation,” the statement asserted. It assured the public that appropriate action would be taken in line with its mandate to promote fair competition, market transparency, and consumer protection.
The FCCPC called on Air Peace to cooperate with the investigation and urged consumers to remain vigilant against unfair practices.
