The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has denied reports suggesting that it has banned Uber, Bolt and other e-hailing services from operating at Nigerian airports.
FAAN, in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos, said it was engaging e-hailing companies to establish a regulatory framework for their operations within airport premises.
The authority said the ongoing discussions were aimed at balancing passengers’ need for convenient transportation with the safety, security and operational requirements of airports.
FAAN stressed that its position should not be interpreted as an attempt to prevent passengers from using e-hailing platforms.
It explained that airports were highly regulated environments and that all commercial transport operators must function under arrangements that allow the authority to identify their vehicles and drivers and monitor their activities.
According to FAAN, such a system would also ensure accountability and enable effective coordination when security or passenger-related incidents occur.
The authority said the large volume of passenger movement at airports made it necessary for transport providers operating within the facilities to be properly identified and integrated into the airport’s security and operational structures.
FAAN also sought to clarify misconceptions surrounding its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS).
It said ACHRAMS was not an e-hailing platform, but a system designed to provide operational visibility and tracking of commercial vehicles within airport premises, while also supporting the administration of applicable concession and other related charges.
The authority said it had received complaints concerning some commercial transport activities around airports, including passenger solicitation and touting.
It said the complaints, coupled with other operational challenges, had reinforced the need for a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation services at the airports.
FAAN said it had been consulting with relevant e-hailing operators on a framework that would recognise the importance of their services while addressing the concerns of airport management.
“The authority has been engaging relevant e-hailing operators to develop a mutually acceptable operational framework that will recognise the value of the service,” it said.
The authority maintained that the discussions were focused on passenger safety, security, accountability, operational visibility and overall passenger experience.
It urged passengers and other stakeholders not to misconstrue the current situation as a blanket prohibition of e-hailing services.
According to FAAN, its objective is to create an arrangement under which Uber, Bolt and other mobility platforms can continue to provide services at airports while complying with established operational requirements.
The authority acknowledged the convenience and wider transportation choices offered by e-hailing platforms, while admitting that the ongoing discussions could cause some inconvenience to passengers.
FAAN said it was working to resolve the outstanding issues expeditiously and expressed confidence that an agreement acceptable to all parties would be reached.
It reiterated that its actions were driven by the need to ensure a safe, secure and orderly airport environment.
The authority also reaffirmed its readiness to work with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to preserve convenient transportation options for passengers travelling through Nigerian airports.
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