Travel/Tourism
Festive Travel Surge: FCCPC Flags Fare Manipulation by Airlines
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) says its investigation uncovered how airlines manipulated flight fares and fixed prices arbitrarily during the last Christmas and New Year’s holidays.
The findings, contained in an interim report released on Thursday by the commission’s department of surveillance and investigations, compared domestic airline pricing from the December 2025 festive period with post-peak January 2026 fare levels.
The FCCPC, in a statement signed by its director of corporate affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, said it established cases of price fixing by local airlines, documented abuse during the festive season, and would soon begin a probe of foreign airlines, following its ongoing country-wide investigation, which was announced earlier in January.
“A review undertaken by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has uncovered patterns of price manipulation perpetrated by some local airlines during the last festive season. The forensic exercise benefitted from data collated by the commission from airlines operating local routes in the country,” the report said.
The report compares domestic airline pricing from the December 2025 festive period with post-peak January 2026 fare levels.
The FCCPC’s preliminary analysis indicated that fares recorded during the December peak period were materially higher than those observed in the post-peak period across several routes despite relative stability in critical operating variables such as fuel price, government taxes and foreign exchange.
“The differences observed in fares therefore appear to reflect airlines’ arbitrary pricing decisions, including yield management and capacity allocation, rather than any variation in regulatory fees,” the report said.
It also noted that route-level analysis showed that higher fares coincided with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand peaks. On some high-density routes, peak fares were clustered within relatively narrow ranges across several operators.
It noted that on certain corridors, such as Abuja-Port Harcourt, peak fares were several times higher than corresponding post-peak levels. “On selected routes, the difference in the price of a single ticket reached approximately N405,000. Median fares across the sampled routes also rose markedly during the festive window when compared with post-peak benchmarks,” it said.
The report identified the relevance of Sections 59, 72, 107, 108, 124 and 127 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which address the prohibition of agreements in restraint of competition, the prohibition of abuse of a dominant position, the offence of price-fixing, conspiracy to commit offences under the Act, the right to fair dealings, and the prohibition of unfair, unreasonable or unjust contract terms.
The FCCPC, however, recognised that seasonal demand pressures, scheduling constraints and fleet utilisation might also affect pricing during the peak travel period. It added that these actors remain under consideration as part of the commission’s ongoing review.
Commenting on the release of the interim report, the executive vice chairman and chief executive officer of the FCCPC, Tunji Bello, said the review was 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,” Mr Bello said.
He noted that the commission was conducting further structural and route-level analysis before reaching any conclusions.
“It is important to emphasise that this is an interim report. Our next action will be dictated by the 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.
Bello further announced that foreign airlines would come under investigation by the FCCPC once the ongoing review of local airlines was concluded.
He noted that the probe of the foreign airlines would be in view of widespread complaints of exploitative fares they allegedly charge Nigerians on certain routes compared to fares in neighbouring countries of equal distance.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has denied owing cost recovery charges to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), insisting that all services rendered by the regulator to domestic airline operators are paid for fully in advance on a cash-before-service basis.
In a statement from the airlines’ body, it was emphasised that no domestic airline in Nigeria receives NCAA regulatory services without first making full payment of invoices issued to it by the agency, describing suggestions of the indebtedness for regulatory services as factually inaccurate.
It said that what the NCAA refers to as ‘outstanding charges’ relates solely to the 5 per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC), a tax imposed by the NCAA on passengers, which it said is not in consonance with the dictates of international aviation.
The AON then urged the federal government to urgently amend the Civil Aviation Act to empower the NCAA to collect whatever appropriate fees and charges are due it directly from passengers or whoever else, without routing such through the domestic airlines, from June 1, 2026.
It said doing this will relieve domestic airlines of the financial burden of acting as collection agents for the NCAA, since airlines currently bear banking transfer charges and other transaction costs in the process of transmitting funds to the organisation.
The airline body reiterated its position that the NCAA is a regulator, not a revenue-generating agency and that it does not fund any aspect of the airline businesses or render any direct service to passengers.
The AON said every service the agency provides to airline operators is fully paid for in advance before it is rendered.
“The AON notes that several member airlines maintain dedicated accounts, from which the NCAA draws down its monthly remittances, until the force majure caused by the Iran-Israel/USA conflict, which had put a lot of financial pressure on airlines worldwide.
“Notwithstanding this arrangement, the AON had formally appealed to the federal government through the office of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to suspend the payment of all statutory charges temporarily, as an interim measure to assist airlines in managing their cash flows during the current period of severe financial stress caused by the increase in the cost of Jet A1.
“As an interim response, President Bola Tinubu graciously granted a 30 per cent concession while waiting for the government’s decision on the other aspects of the AON intervention request.
“While the AON acknowledges and appreciates this gesture, we had appealed for a meeting with Mr President to discuss further reliefs, a request that is yet to be granted,” the AON said.
Speaking further on reports that airlines owe billions in debt to the NCAA, the AON said the 5 per cent Ticket Service Charge in question was introduced over 45 years ago under the Government of General Gowon by the then Federal Civil Aviation Authority (FCAA) and its continued relevance has not been reviewed ever since.
It further stated that domestic airlines, in addition to the 5 per cent TSC, still pay separately ànd directly for services provided by the various industry agencies, including the NCAA itself.
AON said that the 5 per cent TSC is an ad valorem tax applied to an airline’s gross earnings, not profits and that the global aviation industry operates at a profit margin of between 1.5 per cent and 2.5 per cent at best.
“The AON remains committed to constructive engagement with the government and all stakeholders to achieve a growth-oriented sector, designed to enable the accelerated growth of key sectors of the economy and the improvement and sustenance of a healthy quality of life for the citizenry,” it said.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has announced the temporary suspension of its “no pay, no service” directive earlier issued to airlines with outstanding statutory remittances, citing ongoing consultations and prevailing operational challenges in the aviation sector.
In a statement, the authority said the decision followed a review of industry conditions, particularly the rising cost of aviation fuel, which has placed significant financial pressure on domestic carriers and threatens overall sector stability.
However, the NCAA stressed that the suspension does not amount to a waiver, cancellation, or forgiveness of the debts owed by the affected airlines, noting that such decisions fall outside its regulatory mandate.
The agency recalled that President Bola Tinubu had earlier approved a 30 per cent discount on outstanding statutory charges owed by domestic airlines to aviation agencies, as part of broader government efforts to cushion the impact of high Jet A1 fuel costs and stabilise the industry.
According to the NCAA, airlines remain fully responsible for settling their obligations, adding that it would engage operators individually to ensure compliance through structured repayment arrangements that do not disrupt operations.
The regulator also clarified the nature of the 5 per cent Ticket and Cargo Sales Charge, describing it as a statutory levy mandated by the Civil Aviation Act and embedded in the cost of air travel and cargo services.
It explained that the charge is collected by airlines at the point of ticket and cargo sales on behalf of the aviation system and must be remitted accordingly.
The organisation emphasised that the funds do not constitute revenue or profit for the airlines and should not be treated as such.
It further noted that the revenue from these charges is distributed among key aviation institutions, including the regulator itself and other service providers, all of which play vital roles in ensuring safe, efficient, and internationally compliant aviation operations.
It added that the NCAA operates on a cost-recovery basis and does not receive direct funding from the Federal Government for its routine regulatory activities, making timely remittance of statutory charges critical to sustaining its oversight functions.
The suspension of the enforcement directive, it said, is a measured step aimed at maintaining operational stability in the sector while reinforcing the obligation of airlines to remit collected charges.
The NCAA reaffirmed its commitment to balancing regulatory enforcement with industry sustainability, warning that statutory funds already collected must be remitted for their intended purposes.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A new campaign designed to celebrate its passengers across the globe has been launched by Emirates Skywards, a statement from the company confirmed.
The promotion is known as Season of Rewards, and will run from May 21 to August 31, 2026, with beneficiaries getting different rewards for their patronage.
The Skywards Season of Rewards offers more savings with Cash+Miles on Emirates and flydubai, with members unlocking twice the savings, including enhanced Cash+Miles rates across the Emirates and flydubai network when booking flights and extras (excess baggage, lounge access and seat selection. The offer applies across all classes of travel, fare brands and destinations on both airlines. With the limited-time offer, 2,000 Skywards Miles can unlock savings of $30 instead of $15.
In addition, passengers will receive extra tier benefits for travel up until August 31, 2026. Members earn a 20 per cent bonus Tier Miles on every Emirates or flydubai flight, helping members move through the tiers faster. With reduced Tier Miles required during this period, it’s now even easier for members to renew or upgrade their membership status.
Also, they will get 50 per cent bonus Miles with travel partners, including Emirates Skywards Hotels, Marriott Bonvoy, IHG Hotels and Resorts, Jumeirah and more. However, registration is required to participate, and bonus Miles will be credited within 60 days after the end of the offer period.
Further, Skywards members can book their next reward flight and extras with Miles, starting from 4,500 Miles instead of 9,000 Miles during the promo period across all routes, cabins and fares.
“Skywards Season of Rewards reflects our continued commitment to creating even more value for our members worldwide.
“Whether members are planning a family holiday, a Dubai stopover, a weekend escape, or simply looking to maximise rewards across their travel spend – this initiative unlocks more opportunities to earn, save and experience the world with Emirates Skywards,” the DSVP Emirates Skywards, Nejib Ben Khedher, said.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn