The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the resolution of operational issues affecting Bolt’s e-hailing services at airports under its management, clearing the ride-hailing company to resume operations with immediate effect.
FAAN said the decision followed what it described as constructive engagements with Bolt, ending a period of inconvenience for passengers who had been affected by the temporary interruption of e-hailing services at some airports.
In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, the Authority apologised to members of the travelling public for the difficulties experienced during efforts to establish what it described as an agreeable and sustainable operational framework for e-hailing services within airport environments.
FAAN said it appreciated passengers for their patience and understanding, stressing that the measures which led to the disruption were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations.
“The Authority is therefore pleased to announce that, following constructive engagements, FAAN and Bolt have reached an agreeable operational framework and Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately,” the statement said.
The resolution comes after public concerns over restrictions affecting e-hailing operations at airports, with many passengers expressing dissatisfaction over increased transportation costs and the limited availability of cheaper ride-hailing alternatives.
FAAN explained that it had been grappling with challenges associated with the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles within airport premises for nearly a decade.
According to the Authority, the challenges included increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups and concerns relating to safety, security and accountability.
It added that some of the difficulties were compounded by drivers operating across multiple ride-hailing platforms, making it necessary for FAAN to improve the management and monitoring of commercial transportation within airports.
In response to the challenges, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, which it described as a queue-management and airport transportation management system designed to introduce greater structure, visibility and accountability into the operations of authorised airport car-hire services.
The Authority, however, dismissed suggestions that ACHRAMS was created to compete with established e-hailing companies such as Bolt and Uber.
“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform,” FAAN said. “Its function is limited to the management of airport car-hire ranks and the authorised operations associated with them.”
FAAN also insisted that it supported healthy competition and had no intention of creating or promoting a monopoly in airport transportation.
The Authority further addressed public concerns surrounding airport taxi fares, explaining that the rates which generated controversy were not newly introduced by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS.
According to the statement, airport taxi fares had existed independently of the system, while the rates were not substantially different from those previously applicable.
FAAN said ACHRAMS merely introduced greater visibility and transparency regarding existing airport taxi fares, making the cost more apparent to passengers.
However, the Authority acknowledged that comparisons between airport taxi charges and the generally lower fares offered through e-hailing platforms had heightened public concerns.
“FAAN recognises, however, that the comparison with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably heightened public concern,” the Authority said.
The airport operator said it was aware of and deeply appreciated the concerns expressed by passengers over the increased cost and inconvenience experienced during the temporary interruption of e-hailing services.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN said.
“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.”
FAAN said the agreement with Bolt demonstrated that airport authorities could maintain security, order and accountability within airport environments without depriving passengers of the convenience and freedom of choice offered by e-hailing services.
“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 statement added.
The Authority said discussions were continuing with other e-hailing operators and expressed confidence that outstanding issues would be resolved in the coming days.
FAAN reiterated that passengers remained free to choose among available authorised transportation options, adding that its responsibility was to ensure that all such services operated within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.
The Authority assured travellers that their safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience would remain central to its decisions.
FAAN also thanked members of the travelling public for their patience during the period of disruption and pledged to continue working towards a sustainable framework that accommodates both airport security requirements and the growing demand for convenient e-hailing services.
