FCCPC Warns Air Peace Against Obstructing Investigation Over Alleged Consumer Rights Violations

The Nigerian government has issued a warning to Air Peace to refrain from obstructing an ongoing investigation into alleged consumer rights violations by the airline.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) spokesperson, Ondaje Ijagwu, issued the warning in a statement on Sunday, following claims by Air Peace that FCCPC’s allegations regarding exploitative fares had negatively impacted its operations.

Air Peace, in a statement released on Friday, had accused the FCCPC of not adhering to proper procedures in its inquiry and justified its airfare structure, stating that domestic flights should ideally cost between N500,000 and N700,000 per route.

In response, the FCCPC dismissed Air Peace’s assertions as an attempt to distract from the investigation.

The Commission emphasized that consumer complaints regarding the airline’s ticket pricing practices, including allegations of exploitative fare increases, lack of transparency, and arbitrary cancellations, warranted the probe.

“Passengers are consumers of Air Peace’s services.

Their rights are inalienable and guaranteed under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA). This forms the basis of the FCCPC’s intervention,” the statement read.

The FCCPC highlighted its mandate under the FCCPA to ensure fair pricing practices across all sectors, including aviation.

The agency noted that Air Peace’s justification for ticket prices was inconsistent with reports from consumers, who argued that the airline’s claims of high operational costs did not align with its fare pricing structure.

The Commission cited consumer petitions challenging Air Peace’s assertion that fueling its Boeing 737-500 aircraft costs N7 million for a one-hour flight.

According to consumer feedback, the airline’s proposed fare of N500,000 per ticket would generate approximately N60 million per flight, a stark contrast to its operational cost claims.

The FCCPC also pointed out discrepancies in the aviation market, noting that some airlines were offering fares as low as N80,000 on the same routes, raising questions about Air Peace’s pricing policies.

Additionally, the FCCPC addressed allegations of arbitrary flight cancellations without compensation, excessive surcharges on ticket rescheduling, and instances where passengers faced undue delays or cancellations without proper care from the airline.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no amount of blackmail or cowboy tactics can deter the FCCPC from conducting a thorough investigation into the allegations against Air Peace.

The Commission is committed to taking appropriate action as provided under the FCCPA,” the statement added.

The FCCPC assured the public of its commitment to safeguarding consumer rights and ensuring market fairness across all sectors, including aviation.

This development comes amid growing public concerns over the high cost of air travel and alleged exploitative practices by some airlines in Nigeria.