The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned Air Peace Limited following a wave of consumer complaints regarding the non-refund of airfares, particularly in cases where the airline cancelled scheduled flights.
In a notice issued on June 3, 2025, the Commission directed Air Peace to appear at its Abuja headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025. The aim is to address growing concerns of consumer rights violations and to demand accountability from the airline.
According to a statement by the Commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, the airline’s conduct may violate key provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018. Specifically, Sections 130(1)(a) and (b), and 130(2)(b) guarantee customers the right to timely refunds for services not rendered due to a provider’s failure.
The FCCPC is also invoking Sections 32 and 33 of the Act, requiring Air Peace to submit relevant documents including:
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A log of refund-related complaints from the past 12 months
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Records of all processed refunds
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A list of all cancelled flights within the same period
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Evidence of steps taken to mitigate hardship experienced by passengers
Failure to comply, the Commission noted, could result in fines or imprisonment, as mandated under Section 33(3) of the Act.
This development follows recent reports involving a high-profile incident in which Senator Adams Oshiomhole accused the airline of mishandling passengers. The senator, who missed a scheduled flight, alleged that airline staff engaged in racketeering—reportedly charging passengers over ₦100,000 to reschedule flights despite their timely arrival. Air Peace denied wrongdoing, stating that the senator arrived late for boarding.
Witnesses claim 20 to 30 passengers faced similar treatment, further intensifying scrutiny of the airline’s operational practices.
The FCCPC’s intervention highlights a broader effort to uphold consumer protection standards in Nigeria’s aviation sector and ensure that passengers are treated fairly and in accordance with the law.