The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a summons to the management of Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading flag carrier, following consumer complaints regarding the non-refund of ticket fares.
According to a statement from the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the airline’s actions may violate Sections 130(1)(a) and (b), as well as 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018. These provisions ensure consumers are entitled to timely refunds when prepaid bookings, reservations, or orders are not fulfilled due to the service provider’s failure.
The statement reads: “FCCPC has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over a deluge of consumer complaints from across the country relating to the non-refund of ticket fares, even in instances where the airline had canceled its flight operations.
“These actions potentially contravene Sections 130(1)(a) and (b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which expressly guarantee consumers the right to timely refunds where bookings, reservations, or orders are unfulfilled due to service-providers failure.
“This provision enshrines the principle of fair dealing and safeguards consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices by service providers.
“In a formal summons dated June 13, 2025, the Commission, invoking Sections 32 and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, requires Air Peace to appear before the Commission at its Abuja Headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025,
“Specifically, Section 33(3) of the FCCPA mandates compliance, and failure attracts severe sanctions, including fines or imprisonment.
“The airline is further directed to produce documentary evidence including a complaint log for refunds over the past twelve (12) months, total records of processed refunds to date, a list of canceled flights on all routes within the past twelve (12) months, and remedial actions taken to mitigate consumer hardship resulting from canceled flights.
“Earlier in December 2024, the FCCPC had commenced inquiries into separate allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, including substantial price hikes for bookings on certain domestic routes by Air Peace. In response, the airline instituted legal proceedings seeking to restrain the Commission from continuing its inquiry.
“This is an entirely different matter. The FCCPC remains committed to enforcing the provisions of the FCCPA (2018) holding service providers accountable and ensuring that consumers, including airline passengers, are protected from exploitative or unfair market practices.”
