By Chinelo Obogo
Air Peace has denied receiving any summons from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over consumer complaints.
In a statement, the airline said that it only became aware of the summons through media reports. The company said it is committed to international best practices in aviation, particularly in handling refunds, and affirmed that it follows due process in all such matters.
“As a law-abiding organisation with utmost respect for regulatory bodies and government agencies, we wish to assure the public that if and when any official communication or summons is received, Air Peace will, as always, respond accordingly and provide necessary clarifications,” the airline stated.
Air Peace reaffirmed its dedication to serving its passengers with integrity and upholding industry standards.
The FCCPC had in the early hours of Monday said it has summoned the management of Air Peace Limited over consumer complaints from across the country relating to the non-refund of ticket fares.
A statement from the Commission on Monday stated that the complaints of non refund happened in instances where the airline had cancelled its flight operations. The Commission said these actions contravene Sections 130(1)(a) and (b), and 130(2)(b) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, which guarantee consumers the right to timely refunds where advance bookings, reservations, or orders are unfulfilled due to 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 (FCCPA) 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.The airline is further directed to produce documentary evidence including complaint log for refunds over the past twelve (12) months, total records of processed refunds to date, list of cancelled flights on all routes within the past twelve (12) months, and remedial actions taken to mitigate consumer hardship resulting from cancelled flights.
“Earlier in December 2024, the FCCPC had commenced inquiries into separate allegations of exploitative ticket pricing, including substantial price hikes for advance bookings on certain domestic routes by Air Peace. In response, the airline instituted legal proceedings seeking to restrain the Commission from continuing its inquiry.This is an entirely different matter,” the FCCPC said.