FAAN Clarifies: Uber, Bolt Still Allowed at Nigerian Airports…

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has dismissed reports that Uber, Bolt and other e-hailing platforms have been banned from operating at Nigerian airports.

Key Highlights

• FAAN denies e-hailing ban: The authority said Uber, Bolt and other ride-hailing platforms have not been banned from Nigerian airports.
• New operating framework underway: FAAN is working with e-hailing companies to improve passenger safety, security and accountability.
• ACHRAMS explained: The Airport Car Hire Rank Management System is a digital airport transport management platform, not an e-hailing app.
• Drivers and vehicles must be identifiable: FAAN said commercial transport operators at airports must be properly registered and monitored.
• Touting remains a concern: Passenger solicitation and touting around airports were cited as reasons for seeking a more structured transport arrangement.

FAAN said it is instead working with e-hailing companies to establish a clearer operating framework that will improve passenger safety, security, accountability and the smooth management of airport transportation.

The clarification follows reports of restrictions affecting ride-hailing services at some FAAN-managed airports, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.

According to the authority, airports are highly regulated environments and commercial transport operators must be easily identifiable. Vehicles and drivers operating within airport premises, it said, need to be properly registered and monitored for security and accountability purposes.

FAAN also explained the purpose of its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, amid concerns over its relationship with existing e-hailing platforms.

The authority said ACHRAMS is a digital airport transportation management platform and not an e-hailing application. It was not created to compete with Uber, Bolt or other ride-hailing companies.

Instead, FAAN said the system is intended to provide greater operational visibility within airport premises, support vehicle and driver monitoring, and facilitate the administration of applicable concession and related airport charges.

The authority said complaints about commercial transportation activities around airports had also contributed to the need for a more structured arrangement.

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Some of the concerns reportedly involve passenger solicitation and touting, which FAAN said could affect security, orderliness and the overall passenger experience.

FAAN said it is currently holding discussions with affected e-hailing operators in an effort to develop an arrangement that balances the convenience offered by ride-hailing platforms with the security and accountability requirements of airport operations.

The authority stressed that the ongoing discussions should not be interpreted as a ban on Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing services.

FAAN acknowledged that some passengers may have experienced inconvenience as a result of the situation but said efforts were underway to resolve the outstanding issues.

The authority reiterated its willingness to work with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that passengers travelling through Nigerian airports continue to have access to safe, convenient and reliable transportation.

The clarification is expected to ease concerns among travellers who rely on ride-hailing services for airport transfers, particularly in Lagos and Abuja.