E-hailing operators, including Uber and Bolt, are engaging the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) over the restrictions affecting their operations at Nigerian airports.
This is coming amid growing criticism from passengers and industry stakeholders over the development, reports Daily Trust.
The operators’ engagement with FAAN is aimed at finding a mutually acceptable framework that will allow e-hailing services to continue operating within the airport environment while addressing concerns around passenger safety, security, accountability, vehicle identification and pick-up arrangements.
Recall that FAAN had suspended e-hailing operators from picking passengers at its terminals across the country, leaving many passengers at the mercy of traditional airport car hire operators who charge expensive fares.
It was gathered that the authority had compelled the Bolt and Uber operators to onboard on a new platform introduced by FAAN which they kicked against.
Many of them said FAAN should have engaged with the management of the e-hailing platforms before slamming a blanket restriction on them without considering the welfare of passengers.
A source close to the management of one of the e-hailing platforms told our correspondent yesterday that the management has initiated conversation with FAAN with a view to resolving the lingering issue.
The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to speak on the matter also expressed shock over the action of FAAN.
“We are surprised just like everyone with what FAAN has done. Don’t forget we have an existing license to pick passengers at the airports and that is why our platform has a terminal at the major airports. So if you want to introduce another platform, shouldn’t you engage with our management first? But we are looking into the matter and very soon the issue will be resolved,” the source said.
FAAN, in a statement issued yesterday, clarified that its position was not aimed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the role of e-hailing platforms in providing convenient mobility to air travellers.
The Authority said its primary responsibility was to ensure that activities within airport premises were conducted in a manner that guaranteed the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.
According to FAAN, airports are highly regulated environments, requiring commercial transportation operators to operate within an appropriate framework that gives the airport authority visibility over vehicles and drivers and enables effective coordination during security or passenger-related incidents.
The Authority also dismissed concerns that its Airport Concession, Hospitality and Related Management System (ACHRAMS) platform was designed to compete with Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing applications.
FAAN said ACHRAMS was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while facilitating the accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
The Authority noted that it had received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities around airports, including passenger solicitation and touting.
It said these concerns made it necessary to establish a clear framework for managing commercial transportation activities within airport premises.
“FAAN has been engaging the relevant e-hailing operators to achieve a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment,” the Authority said.
FAAN stressed that the current situation should not be interpreted as a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services, describing it instead as part of an ongoing process of operational alignment.
However, the development has continued to attract criticism from stakeholders who argue that passenger convenience should remain central to any regulatory decision affecting airport transportation.
One industry expert described the restriction as concerning, arguing that regulation was necessary but should be implemented without creating unnecessary hardship for passengers.
Aviation analyst, Capt. Samuel Caulcrick said, “FAAN should scale back. They should put the passengers at their discussion. If you want to call the car hire people, call them to the table.”
According to him, banning other operators at the airport showed lack of respect for the passengers. He said the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) should step in, describing the development as anti-competition.
