By: Ayoade Esther Damola
Managing Director of Belujane Konzult, Chris Aligbe, has dismissed criticisms against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over the probe of airlines.
He described those questioning FCCPC’s role in the recent airline fare hike probe as ignorant of the law.
Aligbe, speaking on the controversy surrounding allegations of price-fixing among domestic airlines during the last December high season, insisted that the FCCPC acted within its legal mandate in investigating the issue.
According to him, the sharp increase in airfares during the period under review was unjustifiable, stressing that airlines failed to provide convincing reasons such as increased cost of Jet A1 fuel or new taxes as claimed.
The airlines, under the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), had disagreed with the FCCPC in its interim report over the price-fixing allegation.
The operators also said that the commission lacked competence in airline economics, adding that its report was detrimental to the survival of domestic carriers.
But despite this disagreement, the FCCPC had gone ahead to indict five unnamed indigenous airlines of the offence and vowed to sanction them in accordance with the laws of the land.
The commission also said it would engage the services of forensic experts to unravel the price-fixing practices of the airlines during the period.
Aligbe explained that while the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) remained the sector-specific regulator, the FCCPC operates as an overarching competition and consumer protection authority with jurisdiction across all sectors of the economy.
According to him, the FCCPC, established by an Act of the National Assembly, has the authority to intervene in anti-competition cases across industries, including the aviation sector.
Aligbe added that the commission’s powers had been further reinforced by endorsements from top judicial authorities, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
Responding to the claims that the FCCPC lacked aviation expertise, Aligbe described such arguments as baseless, noting that key personalities who shaped aviation economic regulations, including the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, also played significant roles in drafting its Act, ensuring institutional knowledge continuity.
Aligbe accused domestic airlines of exploiting passengers, particularly during peak travel periods, by restricting early bookings and intentionally creating demand pressure.
He alleged that airlines deliberately delayed opening booking portals, forcing last-minute purchases at highly inflated fares.
He also dismissed claims by airlines that aircraft unavailability was responsible for the delay in opening portals for later date bookings, arguing that proper planning should have ensured fleet readiness well ahead of peak seasons.
