FCCPC Petitioned Over Alleged Exploitative Airfare By Overland Airways
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has been urged to investigate what has been described as “obnoxious” and “unscrupulous” pricing practices by Overland Airways on the Lagos–Ilorin–Abuja flight route.
In a petition addressed to FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Tunji Bello, and signed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, A.U. Mustapha, on behalf of The Third Estate and Like Minds Foundation, the airline is accused of exploiting its monopoly position as the only commercial carrier operating in and out of Ilorin’s General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport.
According to the petition, the carrier has adopted a fare structure that forces Ilorin-bound passengers to pay disproportionately higher amounts than those travelling longer distances on the same flight. The document highlights stark examples:
• Lagos–Abuja (2 hrs 15 mins): ₦160,000
• Lagos–Ilorin (50 mins): ₦260,000
• Ilorin–Abuja (55 mins): ₦300,000
This means that while a Lagos–Abuja passenger pays ₦160,000 for the full journey, the same seat can generate ₦560,000 from two Ilorin-bound passengers travelling shorter segments.
The petitioners argue that the pricing is neither distance-based nor justified by operational costs, noting that a 50-minute Abuja–Ilorin ticket is priced at ₦240,000, which is higher than the premium fare for Abuja–Lagos at ₦230,000. They also allege that when some travellers began booking cheaper Lagos–Abuja tickets and disembarking in Ilorin to avoid the inflated rates, Overland Airways introduced boarding-pass checks in Ilorin to stop the workaround — an action the petition describes as evidence of “structured exploitation.”
Citing multiple provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, the petition accuses the airline of abusing its dominant market position, charging excessive prices, discriminating in fare application, and engaging in unfair and unreasonable business practices.
The petitioners have asked the FCCPC to:
• Launch a full investigation into Overland’s fare policies on the Lagos–Ilorin–Abuja route
• Declare the current pricing regime discriminatory and anti-consumer
• Order the airline to cease such practices immediately
• Impose sanctions in line with the law
The letter, dated August 4, 2025, was also copied to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), and the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Captain Chris Ona Najumo.
Expressing confidence in the FCCPC’s ability to protect consumers, the petitioners wrote: “Our clients, along with many affected passengers, look forward to relief and redress under your regulatory authority.”
No comments