The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has announced an enlarged probe into the alleged arbitrary increase in airfare by the majority of Nigerian airlines in response to the recent national outcry.
According to the reports, several domestic airlines, particularly those operating local routes, are already charging ridiculous airfare prices.
Recall that the Nigerian Senate recently held lengthy discussions about, summoning aviation minister , Festus Keyamo and demanded a thorough inquiry.
The lawmakers said that domestic airlines were seriously exploiting their customers. Festive seasons are when the alleged concerted manipulation of airfare pricing is most noticeable.
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In a statement released on Friday, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, the FCCP’s Director of Corporate Affairs, stated the organisation has started a more thorough inquiry.
According to the agency, the ongoing investigation’s goal was to identify any potential legal infractions.
The agency claims that operators on a few designated routes, such as South-East and South-South, are the focus of the continuing inquiry.
Following this, FCCPC has vowed that at the end of the investigation, it would apply appropriate enforcement measures where evidence showed any violation of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA.
Ijagwu clarified that following the start of an examination into its pricing methodology due to numerous public complaints, Air Peace had filed a lawsuit to prevent the Commission from looking into its pricing processes.
He stated that Air Peace’s lawsuit against the Commission was unaffected by the current investigation.
The director quoted Mr Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, as saying “the Commission would not hesitate to act where evidence showed that consumers welfare or market competitiveness were being undermined.
”For the avoidance of doubt, we are not a price control board but the FCCP Act 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.
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”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”, Bello said.
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