The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has strongly pushed back against the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over its interim report alleging that domestic airlines manipulate air fares.
Reacting to the development, AON spokesperson, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, described the Commission’s position as “playing to the gallery” and warned that such claims could undermine the survival of local carriers.
“I have not read the details of the report, but what the FCCPC is doing is very detrimental to the survival of domestic operators”, Okonkwo said.
He argued that airline pricing is a highly technical and economics-driven process that requires professional expertise in aviation management — an area he suggested falls outside the FCCPC’s core competence.
“They don’t know the economics of airlines and do not possess the professional expertise to dabble into how prices are fixed. They don’t understand airline operations”, he stated.
Okonkwo maintained that fare structures in the aviation industry are influenced by multiple operational variables, and cautioned against what he described as superficial conclusions.
“As far as the AON is concerned, they are playing to the gallery and should not be taken seriously”, he added.
While reaffirming AON’s respect for government institutions, the spokesperson stressed that the association would resist any conclusions it considers unfounded.
“We have immense respect for all government agencies, but we would not accept any statement not based on realities or facts”, Okonkwo said.
The FCCPC’s interim report had raised concerns about possible price manipulation among domestic airlines, sparking fresh debate over airfare regulation and the financial sustainability of Nigeria’s aviation sector.