The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has moved to dispel reports of a blanket ban on e-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt at Nigerian airports, saying its ongoing engagement with operators is aimed at establishing a safer, more accountable and orderly framework for commercial transportation within airport premises.
The clarification by the FAAN Management followed growing public concerns over restrictions affecting e-hailing operations at some of the country’s airports, with passengers reportedly experiencing difficulties accessing the services.
In a statement, the FAAN Management said its position had never been to deny travellers access to convenient transportation options, stressing that the Authority’s overriding responsibility was to protect passengers and ensure orderly airport operations.
“FAAN wishes to clarify that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers,” the Management said.
Rather than banning the services, FAAN said it was seeking to ensure that commercial transportation providers operating within airport premises are properly integrated into the airport’s safety, security and operational systems.
According to the Authority, “airports are highly regulated environments,” and all commercial transportation services operating within them must function under an appropriate framework that gives FAAN adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers.
The Management explained that such visibility was critical for accountability and effective coordination, particularly in the event of security or passenger-related incidents.
“This is particularly important given the volume and nature of passenger movements at our airports and the need to ensure that persons providing transportation services within the airport environment are identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework,” it said.
FAAN also sought to clear the air over its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, ACHRAMS, which has generated concerns in some quarters over whether the platform was intended to compete with existing e-hailing companies.
The Authority was emphatic that this was not the case.
“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and is not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform,” FAAN Management stated.
Rather, it explained that ACHRAMS was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while facilitating the seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
The Authority said its decision to pursue a more structured framework was also informed by complaints and operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities around airport premises, including passenger solicitation and touting.
“These concerns make it imperative for FAAN to have a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at the airport,” the Management said.
FAAN, however, stressed that it recognises the value of e-hailing platforms to air travellers and is not seeking to eliminate them from the airport transportation ecosystem.
The Authority disclosed that it had been engaging relevant operators towards developing a mutually workable arrangement that would preserve the convenience offered by e-hailing services while addressing airport-specific requirements.
“FAAN has been engaging the relevant e-hailing operators to achieve a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment,” it said.
The Management therefore urged the public not to interpret the current situation as a blanket prohibition of e-hailing services.
“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” it stated, describing the development instead as part of an “ongoing process of operational alignment.”
The Authority acknowledged that the process could cause inconvenience to passengers, particularly those who rely on Uber, Bolt and similar platforms for airport transfers.
“FAAN recognises the significant convenience and additional choice that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to passengers,” it said, adding that it equally appreciated concerns from travellers experiencing inconvenience while the issues are being resolved.
FAAN said it was keen to conclude the discussions with the affected operators expeditiously, with the ongoing engagement focused on passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities at airports.
The Authority expressed confidence that a mutually acceptable agreement would be reached shortly.
Reiterating its position, the FAAN Management said: “The Authority reiterates that its actions are guided by one overriding consideration: to protect passengers while providing them with a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.”
FAAN added that it remained committed to collaborating with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that passengers continue to enjoy safe, reliable and convenient transportation options at Nigerian airports.