Court Upholds FCCPC's Authority on Airline Pricing Investigations

On June 29, 2023, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice B.F.M. Nyako, affirmed the authority of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate complaints related to airline ticket pricing.

This ruling came in response to a suit filed by Air Peace, which challenged the FCCPC's power to investigate allegations of fare exploitation. The court dismissed Air Peace's arguments, stating that the FCCPC acted within its statutory powers as conferred by sections 17, 32, and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018.

The case arose after the FCCPC requested information from airlines in January 2025 due to widespread consumer complaints about sharp increases in ticket prices during the 2024 Christmas travel season. The court clarified that the FCCPC's actions were part of a legitimate fact-finding process and did not constitute price regulation.

Tunji Bello, the Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, described the ruling as a significant endorsement of the commission's role in consumer protection and fair competition.