Consumer-centrism: Travel agents back FCCPC on inquiry into Air Peace Airline’s alleged infractions

*We support the protection of consumer rights against anti-consumer services and discriminatory pricing, and structure of airfares in our market -both domestic and international, for Air Peace Airline, and extension of inquiry beyond just one airline ─Yinka Folami, President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In line with the advocacy for “fair and transparent practices” in the aviation sector, the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agents has expressed its clear support for the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) ongoing inquiry into allegations of exploitative airfares, flight cancellations, and other infractions against Air Peace, an indigenous airline.

Yinka Folami, President of the Association, who noted this in a statement issued Tuesday, December 10, 2024, disclosed the agents also appealed to the FCCPC to expand the scope of its inquiry to other airlines in Nigeria.

Folami said the travel agents had expressed their commitment to advocating fair practices within the aviation sector of the economy.

The Association averred that it is committed to prioritising equitable market policies and the protection of consumers in the aviation sector.

ConsumerConnect reports the FCCPC recently announced the commencement of an inquiry into widespread consumer complaints against Air Peace, Guaranty Trust Bank and MTN.

Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs, in a statement, clarified the inquisitions into the affected companies’ operations are intended to address issues of poor service delivery, exploitative practices, and potential consumer rights violations.

Shortly, after the publication of the market regulator’s statement on commencement of an inquiry, Air Peace Airline reportedly denied the allegations against the aviation firm.

The indigenous airline stated that the aviation sector is regulated by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and that if there are any issues regarding any aviation company, there are proper channels and processes to follow in the industry.

While the Commission restated its power to initiate an inquiry into a company in any sector of the Nigerian economy for the protection of consumers’ interests and wellbeing, Folami, in the Association’s statement, equally affirmed the FCCPC is the leading authority for competition and consumer protection in Nigeria.

The President of the Association saud the market regulatory Commission was established by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection ACT 2018, an Act of Parliament.

The mandate, he stated, is to ensure fair market practices and safeguard consumers’ interests with a mandate to conduct surveillance and investigation.

The statement further noted: “We support the protection of consumer rights against anti-consumer services and discriminatory pricing, extension of inquiry beyond just one airline, inquiry into the arbitrary pricing structure of airfares in our market (both domestic and international).

“There is an increasing imbalance between taxes and basic fares, particularly YQ taxes (fuel surcharge/emergency taxes), which need to be explicit in the interest of fairness to the Nigerian traveller and market.

“We offer our knowledge and expertise here.”

‘Aviation is serious business’

Underscoring the essence of the aviation sector of the economy, Folami also contended “there should be an inquiry into significant delays, cancellations, and poor customer care to the Nigerian traveller.

“There should also be an inquiry into cross-border trading, which is price discriminatory to our market, circumventing, and extractive to our national economy.”

The President of the Association averred: “Aviation is a serious business, with high requirements for consumer-centrism.

“Therefore, we should stop being sceptical and cynical about consumer rights and the responsibilities of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.”

Call for support of regulatory Commission to sanitise sector

Folami stated: “We should all work collaboratively to respect and strengthen this laudable government commission.

“In conclusion, we firmly lend our support and expertise where needed to price and service inquiry in the sector which, in our opinion, is long overdue.

“And if collaboratively prosecuted, it is a win for the Nigerian traveller and a win for all.”

According to the travel agents, domestic airlines only refer to global pricing structure when it is convenient.

The Association also said the domestic airlines had made advance purchasing impossible in the last three months to block passengers from buying at a cheaper rate.

Folami again, justified the Association’s support for the FCCPC.

He explained: “Our knowledge, understanding and experience is that the Commission is methodical in approach and has the capacity to consult for sector-expert opinion.

“Similar consumer commissions or consumer boards have arbitrated successfully on sector-specific issues in other climes and Nigeria, like any other market, has the equal need to prioritise the Nigerian consumer. In this context, the Nigerian traveller.”

On advance booking, the statement noted: “For example, our experience with global pricing is that you can purchase in advance.

“What happens in our domestic routes pricing/publication is that you cannot purchase three months in advance.

“Since September 2024, it has been practically impossible to purchase December 2024 tickets on lower classes/fares.”

He stated: “Initially, fares were not displayed in advance (contrary to global practice), and when they were displayed, all lower classes, particularly in a particular region in Nigeria, were frozen.

“All you can buy is just one class (highest price class). This, in our view, is arbitrary and validates the FCCPC’s suspicion of discriminatory pricing.”

The Association asserted that this practice “runs in conflict with our professional teachings that airline pricing is predominantly determined by flown mileage.”

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