AON Rejects FCCPC Claims of Ticket Price Manipulation During 2025 Yuletide
The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has dismissed allegations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) that domestic airlines manipulated ticket prices during the 2025 yuletide travel season.
AON described the claim as misleading and said it reflects a poor understanding of airline economics, stressing that market realities, not manipulation, caused the surge in fares over the holidays.
The dispute follows the FCCPC’s February 26 disclosure that its preliminary review suggested domestic carriers may have altered prices on several routes during the Christmas and New Year rush.
Reacting, AON spokesperson and United Nigeria Airlines chairman, Obiora Okonkwo, said the interim report failed to capture the operational realities facing Nigerian airlines.
“We respect government agencies, but we will not accept conclusions that ignore facts,” Okonkwo said.
“The commission does not have the technical expertise to understand airline pricing. Their statements are damaging to an industry already struggling with high operating costs, foreign exchange challenges, and limited infrastructure.”
Airfares on key domestic routes, particularly those connecting major cities to the South-East and South-South regions, reportedly rose by over 131 per cent during the peak period due to high passenger demand and limited seat availability.
Industry stakeholders say seasonal demand spikes, common around Christmas and Easter, naturally push prices up.
In response, FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, defended the commission’s review as part of its mandate to ensure fair competition and protect consumers.
“This is an interim report aimed at understanding pricing patterns during predictable peak travel periods,” Bello said.
“We are not disrupting legitimate business, but ensuring market outcomes align with competition and consumer protection laws. Further analysis is ongoing, and any action will follow the full facts established at the conclusion of our review.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
