Third-Estate, Ilorin Group Petition FCCPC Over Exploitative Fares by Overland Airways
…Accuse airline of charging more for shorter flights; seek sanctions, pricing reforms
Abuja, Nigeria – A coalition of civil society groups has petitioned the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), accusing Overland Airways of exploitative and discriminatory pricing practices on its Lagos–Ilorin–Abuja route.
In the petition dated August 4, 2025, and signed by A.U. Mustapha, SAN, on behalf of The Third Estate and Like Minds Foundation, the groups alleged that the airline has been unjustly inflating ticket prices for Ilorin-bound passengers, despite offering shorter flight durations compared to other destinations.
They cited instances where passengers travelling from Lagos to Ilorin, a 50-minute flight, were charged as much as ₦260,000, while those travelling the full route from Lagos to Abuja, which lasts 2 hours and 15 minutes, paid ₦160,000. Similarly, passengers flying from Ilorin to Abuja, a 55-minute trip, reportedly paid ₦300,000—bringing the total for both segments to ₦560,000—compared to ₦160,000 for passengers flying the same aircraft directly from Lagos to Abuja.
“This irrational and exploitative fare structure has caused significant hardship to Ilorin-bound passengers,” the petition stated. “The pricing is not only inconsistent with flight distances but is also arbitrary and punitive to consumers without alternative airline options in and out of Ilorin.”
The petitioners claim Overland Airways is the sole commercial operator servicing the General Tunde Idiagbon International Airport in Ilorin, thereby enjoying a monopolistic advantage that allegedly enables the imposition of unfair prices.
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According to fare comparisons presented in the petition, routes such as Abuja to Jalingo, Akure, and Lagos—each longer or comparable in duration—were significantly cheaper than the Abuja–Ilorin route. For example, a 50-minute flight from Abuja to Ilorin cost ₦240,000, while a 1 hour 5 minutes flight from Abuja to Jalingo was ₦160,000. Abuja to Akure, a one-hour flight, was ₦180,000, while the more popular Abuja to Lagos route was priced at ₦160,000 for economy and ₦230,000 for premium.
The groups also alleged that in response to passengers booking longer, cheaper routes such as Lagos to Abuja and disembarking in Ilorin to avoid the high direct fares, Overland Airways began checking boarding passes mid-flight to prevent this workaround. They described this move as a clear indicator of intentional and structured exploitation.
Citing multiple sections of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018, including provisions on abuse of dominant market position, unfair pricing, and consumer exploitation, the petitioners urged the FCCPC to launch an investigation into Overland Airways’ pricing structure on the Lagos–Ilorin–Abuja route. They also called on the Commission to declare the fare regime discriminatory, excessive, and in violation of consumer protection laws.
The petitioners requested that the Commission invoke the relevant provisions of the Act and direct Overland Airways to cease the pricing practices immediately. They further asked the FCCPC to impose appropriate sanctions on the airline for its alleged disregard for consumer welfare.
“We remain confident in the Commission’s capacity to intervene swiftly and justly in this matter,” Mustapha stated. “Our clients, along with many affected passengers, look forward to relief and redress under your regulatory authority.”
The petition was also copied to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, and the Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Chris Ona Najumo.
As of press time, Overland Airways had not publicly responded to the allegations. FCCPC officials are yet to confirm whether a formal investigation has been launched.
By PRNigeria
