The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified its position on the operations of e-hailing platforms, including Uber and Bolt, at Nigerian airports, saying its actions are aimed at strengthening passenger safety, security and orderly airport mobility rather than restricting travellers’ transportation choices.
The clarification followed recent reports and public discussions surrounding the operations of commercial e-hailing services at some of the country’s airports, with concerns raised over the accessibility of platforms used by passengers to arrange airport pick-ups and drop-offs.
In a statement issued on Thursday, FAAN said it had never intended to limit passengers’ access to transportation options or undermine the role played by e-hailing companies in providing convenient mobility for air travellers.
The Authority stressed that its primary responsibility was to ensure that activities conducted within the airport environment complied with requirements designed to guarantee the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.
According to FAAN, airports are highly regulated environments, making it necessary for commercial transportation operators working within airport premises to operate under an appropriate framework that gives the airport authority adequate visibility over their activities.
The framework, it said, must provide sufficient information about the vehicles and drivers operating within the airport while enabling effective coordination in the event of security or passenger-related incidents.
FAAN explained that the requirement was particularly important because of the volume and nature of passenger movements at airports, adding that transportation providers operating within the airport environment must be identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.
The Authority also moved to dispel what it described as a misconception surrounding its Airport Concession, Revenue, Handling and Management System (ACHRAMS) platform.
FAAN said ACHRAMS was not an e-hailing application and was not developed to compete with or replicate the services offered by Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.
Rather, the Authority explained that ACHRAMS was primarily designed to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while facilitating the seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
FAAN said it had, over time, received complaints and observed operational difficulties associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises.
Among the challenges identified were passenger solicitation and touting, which the Authority said had made it necessary to establish a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at airports.
The Authority, however, emphasised that its approach was not intended to eliminate e-hailing services from Nigerian airports.
FAAN disclosed that it had been engaging relevant e-hailing operators in an effort to develop a mutually workable operational framework that would recognise the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment.
It said the current situation should therefore not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services.
According to the Authority, the discussions with operators are part of an ongoing process of operational alignment intended to ensure that e-hailing platforms can continue serving passengers within a framework that satisfies airport operational and security requirements.
FAAN acknowledged the convenience and additional transportation choices provided by platforms such as Uber and Bolt, saying it appreciated their importance to passengers travelling through the nation’s airports.
The Authority also acknowledged concerns from passengers who may have experienced inconvenience as a result of the ongoing operational issues.
It consequently expressed its desire to see the discussions with the affected operators concluded as quickly as possible.
FAAN said it and the affected e-hailing operators were currently engaged in constructive discussions aimed at resolving outstanding issues, particularly those relating to passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the proper management of pick-up activities within airport premises.
The Authority expressed confidence that a mutually acceptable understanding would be reached shortly.
FAAN reiterated that the overriding consideration guiding its actions was the protection of passengers, while ensuring that travellers had a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.
It further pledged to continue working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to establish an arrangement that would allow passengers to retain access to safe and convenient transportation options at Nigerian airports.
The clarification comes amid growing reliance on app-based transportation services by air travellers, particularly for airport transfers, making the regulation and coordination of pick-up activities an increasingly important aspect of airport management.
FAAN maintained that its objective was to balance the convenience offered by e-hailing platforms with the stringent safety, security and accountability requirements applicable to the airport environment.
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