…Hails Stakeholders’ Patience, Understanding
BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has resolved its operational differences with Bolt, clearing the e-hailing platform to resume services at FAAN-managed airports immediately.
FAAN, in a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, also apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption of e-hailing services.
The authority said the disruption followed efforts to establish an agreeable and sustainable framework for the operation of e-hailing services within the airport environment.
According to FAAN, it has been working for nearly a decade to address challenges associated with commercial and e-hailing vehicles at airports, including passenger solicitation, touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups and safety, security and accountability concerns.
It said the situation had made it necessary to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within airports.
FAAN said it introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) to bring greater structure, visibility and accountability to authorised airport car-hire services.
The authority stressed that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never designed to compete with Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.
“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation,” it said.
The authority also clarified that airport taxi fares highlighted during the controversy were not newly imposed by FAAN or introduced by ACHRAMS.
It explained that the fares had existed independently of the system, although ACHRAMS made them more visible to passengers.
“FAAN recognises, however, that the comparison with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably heightened public concern,” the statement said.
The authority acknowledged concerns over the increased cost and inconvenience experienced by passengers during the temporary suspension of e-hailing services.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN said.
It added that while its actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, it recognised the significant impact on passengers.
“We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments,” the authority said.
FAAN said its agreement with Bolt demonstrated that airport security and order could be maintained without taking away passengers’ convenience and freedom of choice.
It added that discussions with other e-hailing operators were ongoing and expressed confidence that outstanding issues would be resolved in the coming days.
FAAN reiterated that passengers are free to choose from available transportation options, provided the services operate within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.
“Their safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience remain at the centre of FAAN’s decisions,” the authority said.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
