The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has uncovered what it described as patterns of price manipulation by some domestic airlines during the December 2025 festive season, raising concerns about consumer exploitation in Nigeria’s aviation sector.

In an interim report released by its Department of Surveillance and Investigations on Thursday, the Commission said preliminary findings from an industry-wide probe announced in January showed that ticket fares during the festive peak were significantly higher than post-peak levels in January 2026, despite stable operating costs.

According to a statement signed by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, key cost drivers such as aviation fuel prices, government taxes, and foreign exchange remained relatively stable during the period under review. The Commission said the disparity in fares appeared to reflect discretionary pricing decisions rather than external cost pressures.

“Preliminary analysis indicates that fares recorded during the December peak were materially higher than those observed in the post-peak period across several routes, despite relative stability in critical operating variables,” the statement said.

Route-level analysis revealed that fare increases coincided with periods of reduced seat availability during predictable seasonal demand spikes, suggesting possible deliberate supply constraints. On some high-density routes, including Abuja–Port Harcourt, peak fares were reportedly several times higher than post-peak prices, with differences on certain tickets reaching about N405,000.

The FCCPC also observed instances where peak fares across multiple operators fell within narrow price bands, a trend it said may indicate coordinated behaviour.

Speaking on the findings, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, said the assessment aimed to clarify pricing behaviour during peak travel periods, stressing that the agency was not seeking to disrupt legitimate commercial activity but to ensure compliance with competition and consumer protection laws.

He noted that the report remains interim and that a deeper structural and route-level analysis would determine whether regulatory guidance, engagement, or enforcement actions are required under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018.

The Commission identified possible violations of sections relating to anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance, price-fixing, conspiracy, and unfair contract terms.

Bello further disclosed that the probe would extend to foreign airlines operating in Nigeria amid persistent complaints that Nigerians pay higher fares on comparable international routes than travellers in neighbouring countries.

The FCCPC’s ongoing review comes at a time when airfare pricing, especially during festive seasons, continues to spark debate, with operators citing fleet shortages and operational costs, while consumer groups allege exploitative practices.