FCCPC SUMMONS AIR PEACE OVER FLIGHT CANCELLATIONS, UNSETTLED REFUNDS
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Agency report
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned Air Peace Limited over numerous passenger complaints about unrefunded ticket fares, even in instances where the airline cancelled scheduled flights.
In a formal notice dated June 3, 2025, the Commission instructed the airline to appear at its headquarters in Abuja on Monday, June 23, 2025, to address widespread concerns and allegations of consumer rights violations.
The directive was disclosed in a statement by the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, on Monday in Abuja.
According to Ijagwu, the airline’s conduct violates Sections 130(1)(a) and (b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, which entitle consumers to timely refunds when bookings or reservations are not fulfilled due to a provider’s failure.
He explained that the summons was issued pursuant to Sections 32 and 33 of the Act, requiring Air Peace to provide specific documentary evidence. This includes a complaint log of refund-related issues over the past 12 months, records of all processed refunds to date, a list of all cancelled flights on all routes within the same period, and measures taken to alleviate hardship caused to affected passengers.
The statement read, “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over a deluge of consumer complaints from across the country relating to the non-refund of ticket fares, even in instances where the airline had cancelled its flight operations.
“These actions potentially contravene Sections 130(1)(a) and (b) and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, which expressly guarantee consumers the right to timely refunds where advance bookings, reservations, or orders are unfulfilled due to a service provider’s failure. This provision enshrines the principle of fair dealing and safeguards consumers against unfair, unjust, or unreasonable practices by service providers.
“In a formal summons dated June 13, 2025, the Commission, invoking Sections 32 and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2018, requires Air Peace to appear before the Commission at its Abuja Headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025.
“Specifically, Section 33(3) of the FCCPA mandates compliance, and failure attracts severe sanctions, including fines or imprisonment.”
Though the statement did not reference it directly, the summons follows a recent controversy involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole and Air Peace officials over alleged passenger extortion.
The dispute intensified after the senator reportedly missed his flight, accusing airline staff of racketeering. While Air Peace claimed Oshiomhole arrived late, the senator insisted he and several other frustrated passengers saw staff allowing later arrivals to board.
According to Oshiomhole, between 20 and 30 passengers were similarly affected, with staff allegedly demanding an extra N109,100 to rebook them on an 8:30 a.m. flight.
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