The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned Air Peace to appear before it over numerous complaints from passengers alleging non-refund of fares for cancelled flights — a move the Commission says could amount to a serious breach of Nigeria’s consumer protection laws.
In a statement released by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, on Monday, the FCCPC said it had issued a formal notice to the airline dated June 13, 2025. The airline is required to appear at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on June 23, 2025, to address the allegations.
According to the Commission, the complaints suggest that Air Peace has failed to honour its obligations under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), 2018, which mandates businesses to provide full and timely refunds when services paid for in advance are not rendered.
“Such conduct may be in violation of Sections 120–124 of the FCCPA, which guarantee the right to fair value, quality, and timely redress for services not delivered,” the FCCPC said in its statement.
In addition to a formal appearance, Air Peace has been directed to submit detailed records of its refund and cancellation policies, as well as data on all affected flights and passenger complaints within the last 12 months.
Failure to comply with the Commission’s directive, the FCCPC warned, may attract stiff penalties — including fines or imprisonment — as provided under Section 33(3) of the FCCPA. That section empowers the Commission to take enforcement actions against any service provider found culpable of unfair or deceptive trade practices.
“The Commission is deeply concerned about repeated reports of passenger dissatisfaction regarding unprocessed or delayed refunds for cancelled flights,” the FCCPC added. “This undermines consumer confidence and violates the principles of fair market conduct.”
This development comes amid a broader crackdown on airlines and service providers that flout consumer rights in Nigeria.
The FCCPC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and redress for consumers across all sectors.
“We are determined to uphold consumer protection as a cornerstone of our market economy. Operators in the aviation industry must understand that non-compliance with consumer rights obligations will not go unchallenged,” Ijagwu stated.
Air Peace, Nigeria’s largest domestic carrier, has yet to issue a public response to the FCCPC’s summons as of the time of this report.
