The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has confirmed that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has not yet submitted its findings on the surge in airfares during the December 2023 festive period. Michael Achimugu, NCAA's Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, reiterated that claims by some airlines attributing the price hikes to multiple taxation were unconvincing. He stated clearly: "The FCCPC did not submit reports to my office, so I do not know what they found out. All I know is that in December, I disagreed with the reason for the hike in air fares as stated by some operators. They alleged that it was due to taxes, but I didn't agree with that and I still stand by that."
The FCCPC had previously warned of penalties for airlines found to have arbitrarily raised ticket prices, with assurances that passengers would be refunded excess charges. Achimugu noted improvements in flight operations compared to the last quarter of 2023, citing reduced passenger volume post-festive season as a contributing factor. However, he cautioned that the approaching rainy season could bring new disruptions. He referenced the recent Aircraft Acquisition Summit hosted by the aviation minister, highlighting that signed deals for new aircraft are expected to improve operations by 2026.
Michael Achimugu's public insistence that airline justifications for fare hikes are unconvincing exposes a rare moment of regulatory pushback in a sector long accustomed to unchecked pricing patterns. His refusal to endorse the tax argument, even in the absence of the FCCPC's report, signals a subtle but significant shift in how aviation regulators are choosing to engage with industry narratives.
The timing of this exchange matters. With the FCCPC's findings still undisclosed months after the December spike, public trust in enforcement mechanisms is being tested. Achimugu's comments do not operate in a vacuum—they come amid long-standing complaints about airline profitability, fleet inadequacy, and seasonal price surges that mirror supply-demand manipulation more than cost-driven adjustments. The fact that disruptions dropped post-festive season due to lower passenger volume suggests operators struggle not with systemic inefficiencies alone, but with managing capacity during peak demand—a recurring failure.
For Nigerian travellers, especially middle-income families and business commuters, this uncertainty translates into financial risk. Seasonal fare spikes are now predictable, yet accountability remains elusive. Without transparent enforcement outcomes from the FCCPC, passengers have no recourse, only warnings to "brace up" for more disruptions.
This episode fits a broader pattern: regulatory bodies speaking firmly in public while enforcement lags behind. Promises of better service by 2026 sound hopeful, but Nigerians are living through the present reality of expensive, unreliable air travel.
