Alarmed by the public outcry over exploitative domestic air fares in the country, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced an expansion of the scope of existing investigation into pricing templates behind rates charged for tickets by some airlines on some domestic routes with a view to establishing possible violations of the provisions of the law.
The ongoing investigation, according to a statement on Friday by the Director, Corporate Affairs, FCCPC,
Ondaje Ijagwu, targets operators on the identified routes.
He explained that concerns have been expressed widely in the past few days over what appears to be coordinated manipulation or exploitation in the pricing of airline tickets by some airlines on certain routes, especially in the South-East and South-South, as the festive season begins.
Ijagwu recalled that earlier in the year, a major airline, Air Peace, instituted a court action seeking to restrain the Commission from examining its pricing mechanisms, following the commencement of an investigation into its pricing model after widespread complaints from members of the public.
He noted that the ongoing inquiry was without prejudice to the case instituted against the Commission by Air Peace.
While further clarifying the Commission’s position, according to him, the FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Mr Tunji Bello, stated that, “For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board. But the FCCPA 2018 empowers us to check the exploitation of consumers. When we receive petitions or where we find cogent evidence, we will not stand by and watch Nigerian consumers being exploited under any guise.”
The EVC/CEO emphasised that the Commission will not hesitate to act where evidence shows that consumer welfare or market competitiveness is being undermined.
Section 17(b) of the FCCPA empowers the Commission to monitor economic activities in Nigeria to identify anti-competitive, anti-consumer protection and restrictive practices that may adversely affect consumers.
Section 17(e) which enables the Commission to carry out investigations considered necessary.
“Although the Commission is not a price control body, fair pricing is a core objective of the FCCPA. The Act establishes a comprehensive framework that protects consumers from excessive, opaque, misleading, or collusive pricing practices while promoting competitive markets that deliver products and services at prices determined through fair market dynamics.
“Given the arbitrary spike in airfares, the Commission is extending its review of pricing patterns, the basis for the increases reported by consumers, and any practices that could undermine fair competition. Where evidence confirms a breach of the Act, FCCPC will apply appropriate enforcement measures,” the FCCPC said.
The Commission said it would provide further updates on the ongoing aviation investigation in due course.
