Passengers Lament As Lagos Airport Ride Fares Soar As E-hailing Operators Face Restrictions

Passengers using the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, are facing sharply higher transport fares amid restrictions affecting ride-hailing operators within the airport premises.

Travellers have reported that journeys which previously cost about ₦6,000 to ₦8,000 on Uber and Bolt are now costing as much as ₦30,000 through the new FAANTaxi service.

One passenger, identified as Chude on X, said he was charged ₦30,000 for a trip from the airport to the Radisson Hotel in Ikeja, compared with ₦6,000 for the same journey on InDrive.

“These new Lagos Airport taxis are just extorting travelers. They charged 30,000 naira from the airport to Ikeja (Radisson), while InDrive charged 6,000 for the same location,” Chude wrote.

The development has sparked criticism from travellers and members of the public, with some questioning the decision to limit competition among transport operators serving the airport.

A passenger, Tosin, directly appealed to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over the situation.

“Good morning @faan_md Why do we have this exploitation in place? Why would you impose a single ride hailing system on citizens of this nation without giving room to competition thereby increasing our hardship? @fccpcnigeria please look into this urgently!” Tosin said.

Another traveller, Aunty Teda, recounted her experience at the airport, alleging that passengers were already facing delays while leaving the airport premises.

“It took us almost 3 hrs to leave the airport parking lot on Thursday. @FAAN_Official has not looked into fixing that but they’ve built app and bought cars to steal and push out locals trying to earn a living,” she said.

“Locusts. All they do is eat and destroy,” she added.

Read Also: NDLEA Arrests Businessman With 1.55kg Cocaine Hidden In Luggage At Lagos Airport

The fare disparity has prompted some passengers to seek alternatives, including walking outside the airport premises to order ride-hailing services, while others have turned to platforms such as InDrive for cheaper fares.

The controversy has also revived concerns over competition and affordability in airport transportation, particularly as passengers compare the new fares with prices offered by ride-hailing platforms operating outside the airport.

However, FAAN has denied imposing a blanket ban on Uber, Bolt and other ride-hailing operators at the airport.

The authority said the issue was linked to “unauthorised signage” and ongoing discussions with operators over vehicle standards, fares and passenger-tracking systems.

FAAN is also engaging operators on compliance with the Airport Car Hire and Ride Management System (ACHRMS), which is designed to regulate commercial transportation services within airport premises.

Despite the explanation, the reported fare increases have continued to generate concerns among travellers, with passengers calling on FAAN and the relevant regulatory authorities to ensure that efforts to improve safety and order at the airport do not come at the expense of affordable transportation.

The affected passengers have urged FAAN and ride-hailing operators to resolve their differences and establish a system that allows competition while maintaining safety, accountability and efficient transport services for airport users.