The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has resolved its operational issues with ride-hailing company, Bolt, paving the way for the immediate resumption of the company’s services at airports under the Authority’s management.
The development follows days of public concern and complaints by passengers over the disruption of e-hailing services and the higher transportation costs associated with some airport taxi services.
FAAN, in a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said it had reached an “agreeable operational framework” with Bolt after what it described as constructive engagements between both parties.
The Authority expressed appreciation to members of the travelling public for their patience and understanding throughout the period of inconvenience, while also apologising for the difficulties passengers encountered.
“FAAN and Bolt have reached an agreeable operational framework and Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately,” the Authority said.
The airport operator explained that its actions were not aimed at frustrating e-hailing companies or promoting any particular transportation service but were informed by longstanding concerns over the management of commercial vehicles within airport environments.
According to FAAN, it had spent nearly a decade attempting to address challenges arising from the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles at airports. These challenges, it said, included increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, as well as concerns relating to the safety, security and accountability of commercial transportation providers.
FAAN noted that the situation was further complicated by drivers who operated on more than one ride-hailing platform, making it difficult to effectively monitor and manage commercial transportation activities within the airport environment.
The Authority said these concerns informed the introduction of the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS.
FAAN described ACHRAMS as a queue-management and airport transportation management system designed to bring greater order, visibility and accountability to the operations of authorised airport car-hire services.
However, the Authority dismissed concerns that the system was designed as a replacement for established ride-hailing platforms or as a means of excluding companies such as Bolt and Uber from airport operations.
“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform,” FAAN said.
The system, it explained, was strictly intended to manage airport car-hire ranks and regulate the authorised operations connected with such services.
FAAN also insisted that it supported healthy competition within the airport transportation sector and had no intention of creating or encouraging a monopoly.
The Authority further addressed the controversy surrounding airport taxi fares, stressing that the charges which attracted public criticism were neither newly introduced by FAAN nor created by the ACHRAMS platform.
According to the statement, airport taxi fares had existed independently before the introduction of the system, while the rates were not substantially different from those previously charged.
FAAN said the major change introduced by ACHRAMS was improved visibility and transparency, as passengers could more readily see the prevailing airport taxi rates.
Nevertheless, the Authority acknowledged that many passengers became concerned because the fares were considerably higher than the lower rates they had become accustomed to when using e-hailing services.
“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 admitted that the temporary interruption of e-hailing services had imposed significant inconvenience and additional costs on passengers.
It said it had taken note of the concerns expressed by the travelling public and had subsequently made adjustments to its approach.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN stated.
“While the Authority’s actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, FAAN acknowledges that the immediate impact on passengers was significant. We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.”
With the resolution of the issues affecting Bolt, FAAN said the agreement demonstrated that the need to maintain security and order within airport premises could be balanced with passengers’ demand for convenient and affordable transportation options.
“The resolution demonstrates that it is possible to protect the integrity and security of the airport environment while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice that e-hailing services provide to passengers,” the Authority said.
FAAN disclosed that it was still engaging other e-hailing operators whose operations were affected by the efforts to establish a new framework, expressing optimism that the outstanding discussions would be concluded in the coming days.
The Authority assured passengers that they remained free to choose from the available authorised transportation services at airports.
It stressed that its principal responsibility was to ensure that every transportation provider operating within the airport environment complied with the required standards of safety, security, orderliness and accountability.
FAAN said the resumption of Bolt’s services marked an important step towards restoring greater transportation choices for air travellers while maintaining proper oversight of commercial activities within airport premises.
The Authority assured the travelling public that the safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience of passengers would continue to guide its decisions as it works with other e-hailing operators to conclude outstanding operational arrangements.
It also thanked passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, pledging to continue pursuing a sustainable transportation framework that would protect the integrity of Nigerian airports while meeting the needs of the travelling public.
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