The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a formal summons to Nigerian airline operator, Air Peace Limited, over rising allegations of non-refund of airfares and persistent complaints of passenger mistreatment. The development comes amid growing public outrage regarding the airline’s handling of cancelled flights and refund requests.
According to a statement released on Monday, June 17, 2025, by FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the summons was served to Air Peace on June 13, 2025. The Commission directed the airline’s management to appear before its Abuja headquarters on Monday, June 23, 2025, to respond to accusations of violating consumer protection laws, particularly Sections 130(1)(a), 130(1)(b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
The Commission noted that it received a “deluge of consumer complaints” from across Nigeria, with affected passengers alleging that the airline refused to refund ticket fares even when flights were cancelled by the airline. FCCPC emphasized that Nigerian consumers have the right to timely refunds when services paid for in advance are not rendered, adding that Air Peace’s alleged conduct represents an unfair and unreasonable business practice.
The FCCPC has demanded that the airline submit comprehensive documentation including:
Logs of customer complaints relating to refunds in the past 12 months,
Records of all processed refunds,
A complete list of cancelled flights on all routes within the same period, and
Measures taken to mitigate the impact on affected passengers.
Failure to comply with the summons, the FCCPC warned, could attract stiff penalties including fines and potential legal sanctions under Section 33(3) of the Act.
In a swift reaction, Air Peace stated that it had not received any formal communication from the FCCPC as of the time the news broke. “We only became aware of the alleged summons through media reports,” the airline said in an official response issued later on Monday.
Reaffirming its compliance with international aviation practices, Air Peace insisted it maintains global standards in addressing refund issues and customer grievances. The airline assured regulators and the public that it would respond adequately and respectfully once any official communication is received.
“As a law-abiding organisation with utmost respect for regulatory bodies, we will provide all necessary clarifications if and when we are officially notified,” the statement read.
The controversy surrounding Air Peace intensified recently following an incident involving Senator Adams Oshiomhole. The former Edo State governor accused the airline of extortion and racketeering after he and dozens of passengers allegedly missed a scheduled flight due to questionable boarding practices by Air Peace staff.
According to Oshiomhole, airline officials demanded an additional payment of N109,100 to reschedule passengers—despite their timely arrival at the airport. While Air Peace claimed the senator arrived late, eyewitness reports suggested that passengers who arrived later were allowed to board after making extra payments.
This high-profile complaint appears to have increased pressure on the FCCPC to act, although the Commission has not publicly linked the Oshiomhole episode to its current investigation.
This latest development highlights broader issues around consumer protection in Nigeria’s aviation sector, where delayed flights, poor communication, and lack of accountability have become common concerns.
Aviation analysts believe this investigation could signal a turning point in enforcing passengers’ rights. “The FCCPC’s move could set a precedent for stricter enforcement of consumer rights in the aviation sector,” said Ifeoma Onyekachi, a consumer protection lawyer.
Air passengers are advised to retain evidence of bookings, payment receipts, and correspondence in the event of disputes with service providers.
As Nigeria’s air travel demand continues to grow amid economic recovery and business mobility, regulatory accountability is expected to play a central role in improving service standards and protecting the rights of millions of Nigerian travellers.