FCCPC Investigation Costs Air Peace International Slot, Airline Claims

Air Peace Airline has alleged that it has lost an international slot due to the ongoing investigation by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).

At a press conference on Friday, Oluwatoyin Olajide, the airline’s Chief Operating Officer, revealed that a country they had been applying to for an airline slot had rejected their request. Olajide directly attributed this rejection to the current dispute with the FCCPC, stating that the country informed them they were “not a priority” because of how the airline is treated domestically.

“A country we have been writing to for a slot wrote back to us yesterday to say that they don’t have a slot for us because they said we are not their priority,” Olajide said. She emphasized the need for support for indigenous businesses, adding, “We are trying our best to put Nigeria on a global map. We need just little support. Don’t destroy our efforts.”

The airline’s leadership argues that the FCCPC’s investigation is causing significant reputational damage. Olajide suggested that negative media reports could influence international perceptions of Air Peace, harming its expansion plans.

Defending the airline’s pricing strategy, Olajide challenged the FCCPC’s allegations of exploitative fares by detailing the substantial operational costs in Nigeria’s aviation sector. She highlighted that fuel costs alone can reach N7 million for a one-hour flight, with aircraft operation costs at approximately $4,000 per hour, including crew, maintenance, and insurance.

“Before you say an airline is exploiting passengers, you must be able to proof it. How do you come about that? There are operating costs on a flight. We buy fuel at almost 1,400 per litre. To operate one hour flight, it will take an average airline 4,000 litres of fuel. Fuel alone cost N7 million on a one hour flight,” Olajide said.

She also pointed out that insurance costs in Nigeria are three times higher than in other countries due to perceived national risks.

The COO further argued that Air Peace’s current fares remain lower than those of other African carriers, despite challenging operational conditions. She expressed confidence that the federal government supports indigenous investments and would not intentionally harm a growing national business.

The FCCPC had earlier issued a statement on Thursday confirming its investigation into Air Peace, denying reports claiming otherwise and labeling previous media narratives as false and sponsored.