By John Umeh
Nigeria’s leading airline, Air Peace, is currently facing mounting scrutiny from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over a wave of passenger complaints related to frequent flight cancellations, unexplained delays, and unprocessed refunds. The development has sparked renewed calls for transparency and accountability in the country’s aviation sector.
According to the FCCPC, the agency has formally summoned Air Peace to provide explanations and documentation regarding several allegations pointing to breaches of consumer protection laws. These include repeated flight cancellations without prior notice, prolonged delays without adequate compensation, and a troubling backlog of unpaid customer refunds — some dating back several months.
In a public statement, the FCCPC expressed concern over what it described as a “pattern of disregard for passenger rights,” noting that the Commission has received a surge in complaints from frustrated travelers who say they were left stranded or ignored after cancelled flights. The Commission emphasized that its summons is aimed at ensuring that Nigerian consumers are treated fairly and in accordance with national aviation and consumer protection regulations.
“We take these reports seriously,” said Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice Chairman of the FCCPC. “No airline, no matter how prominent, is above the law when it comes to consumer rights. We expect Air Peace to provide clarity and, more importantly, show evidence that affected passengers have been or will be compensated appropriately.”
Many passengers have taken to social media to express their frustrations, sharing stories of missed connections, lost bookings, and financial losses incurred due to last-minute cancellations. A number of them allege that the airline’s customer care services are either unreachable or fail to offer any meaningful support or refund processes.
This is not the first time Nigerian airlines, including Air Peace, have come under regulatory fire. Industry experts have long criticized the aviation sector’s lack of strict enforcement regarding service delivery, often leaving consumers at the mercy of operators. However, with the FCCPC now stepping up its oversight and issuing direct summonses, it appears the era of leniency may be drawing to a close.
Air Peace has yet to release an official response to the FCCPC’s actions as of press time. Aviation stakeholders are watching closely to see whether this latest intervention will signal a shift toward improved service standards and greater protection for Nigerian air travelers.
The Commission has urged affected customers to submit supporting documents and testimonies to aid the ongoing investigation. Meanwhile, it has promised to take appropriate legal steps if the airline fails to comply or is found to have violated existing consumer laws.
As passengers await clarity and action, the spotlight now rests firmly on Air Peace’s next move — and whether this scrutiny will lead to lasting reforms in Nigeria’s turbulent air travel landscape.
