The Airlines Operators of Nigeria has dismissed allegations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission that domestic carriers inflated ticket fares during the December 2025 festive period.

AON’s position was conveyed by its spokesperson, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, on Friday in a report by the African Independent Television.

The dispute stems from the FCCPC’s interim report, which pointed to suspected cases of fare manipulation on certain domestic routes.

The AON argued that the FCCPC lacks the specialised knowledge required to interpret airline pricing systems, maintaining that fare variations are routine industry practices shaped by demand and supply forces.

The association warned that allowing the regulator’s conclusions to stand could threaten the sustainability of domestic airlines.

Okonkwo described the FCCPC’s actions as damaging to local operators, insisting that the Commission failed to fully grasp the complexities inherent in airline pricing structures.

“The Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON) has responded to allegations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) that domestic airlines manipulated ticket prices during the December 2025 festive season.

“Speaking in reaction, AON spokesperson Professor Obiora Okonkwo described the Commission’s actions as very detrimental to the survival of domestic operators.

“He argued that the FCCPC lacks the technical expertise to interpret airline pricing structures and accused the Commission of playing to the gallery,” the AIT report read.

Okonkwo explained that airline pricing is influenced by a range of operational factors beyond fuel costs, including maintenance timelines, aircraft availability, insurance commitments, airport and navigation fees, as well as expenses tied to foreign currency.

He added that fare increases during peak travel periods are primarily driven by demand and supply forces, noting that such pricing adjustments are consistent with standard practices across the global aviation industry.

An interim report by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, released on Thursday through its Department of Surveillance and Investigations, said it identified patterns of alleged price manipulation during the festive period.

According to the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the conclusions were drawn from data obtained from domestic carriers, comparing ticket prices in December 2025 with post-peak fares recorded in January 2026.

The report observed that fare increases aligned with periods of limited seat availability, particularly during predictable spikes in seasonal travel demand.