FAAN reinstates Bolt at airports, denies fixing taxi fares

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared Bolt to resume operations at all airports under its management after reaching an operational agreement with the ride-hailing company.

The development follows growing complaints from travellers over the temporary disruption of e-hailing services at Nigerian airports, with passengers raising concerns about higher transportation costs and reduced options for getting to and from airports.

FAAN also apologised to passengers affected by the disruption, acknowledging that the temporary interruption caused inconvenience and increased transportation difficulties for some travellers.

In a statement by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN said it had listened to the concerns raised by passengers and made the necessary adjustments following constructive engagements with Bolt.

The authority said the agreement with Bolt provides an operational framework that allows the company to resume services while complying with requirements relating to airport security, passenger safety, accountability and orderly transportation.

FAAN’s latest announcement marks a significant development after the authority had faced mounting public criticism over restrictions affecting e-hailing operations at some of the country’s airports. FAAN had earlier maintained that it had not imposed a blanket ban on Bolt, Uber or other e-hailing platforms, but said operators needed to work within an appropriate framework for airport operations. (FAAN)

According to FAAN, airports are highly regulated environments, making it necessary for commercial transportation providers to operate under arrangements that give the authority adequate visibility over vehicles, drivers and passenger pick-ups.

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The authority said it had been dealing with challenges including passenger solicitation, touting, random pick-ups, unregulated commercial transportation and concerns about safety, security and accountability.

FAAN said these challenges had become more complicated in situations where drivers operate across multiple ride-hailing platforms, prompting the authority to strengthen its oversight of commercial transportation within airport premises.

At the centre of the controversy is the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), which FAAN introduced to bring greater structure and visibility to airport car-hire operations.

FAAN stressed that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was not created to compete with Bolt, Uber or any other mobility platform. Rather, the authority describes it as an airport-specific system for managing car-hire ranks, dispatch, identification and operational oversight within FAAN-managed airports. (FAAN)

The authority has also rejected suggestions that ACHRAMS was introduced to create a monopoly in airport transportation.

FAAN said it supports competition and does not intend to prevent passengers from choosing between different transportation providers.

The controversy intensified after passengers began complaining about the cost of airport taxi fares, particularly during the period when access to conventional e-hailing services was disrupted.

Reports from Lagos indicated that some passengers were being quoted fares as high as N30,000 for trips from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to parts of Ikeja, while travellers reported substantially lower prices through alternative ride-hailing services. (Aboki Forex)

FAAN, however, has denied claims that it fixed or introduced the airport taxi fares being discussed.

The authority said the fares existed independently of ACHRAMS and were not newly created by the system. According to FAAN, ACHRAMS merely brought greater visibility and transparency to existing airport taxi rates, making the applicable charges more apparent to passengers.

FAAN acknowledged that the comparison with the lower prices many travellers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably fuelled public concern over the cost of airport transportation.

The authority said its actions were motivated by regulatory, safety and security considerations, rather than economic interests.

It nevertheless acknowledged that the immediate effect of the temporary disruption was significant for passengers.

FAAN therefore apologised to travellers and said it appreciated their patience and understanding while discussions with e-hailing operators continued.

The authority said the resolution with Bolt demonstrates that it is possible to maintain the integrity and security of the airport environment while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice associated with e-hailing services.

The latest development is also consistent with FAAN’s earlier position that it wanted to establish a workable framework rather than permanently exclude e-hailing companies from airports. On August 20, the authority said discussions with operators were aimed at resolving issues involving passenger safety, security, operational visibility, accountability and the management of pick-up activities. (FAAN)

Bolt’s own airport guidance already requires its drivers operating at Murtala Muhammed International Airport to comply with FAAN rules, including using designated parking areas for pick-ups and drop-offs. Bolt also warns drivers that violations of airport rules can result in penalties or vehicle impoundment. (Bolt)

Bolt’s official Nigeria platform also lists several Nigerian airports where airport transfers are available, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Port Harcourt International Airport and Sam Mbakwe International Airport. (Bolt)

FAAN said it remains in discussions with other e-hailing operators and expects outstanding engagements to be concluded in the coming days.

The authority reiterated that passengers remain free to choose from available authorised transportation options that best meet their needs.

FAAN said its responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service passengers choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.

The reinstatement of Bolt is expected to give air travellers greater choice and restore access to app-based transportation at FAAN-managed airports, while the authority continues efforts to regulate commercial transportation without compromising passenger safety and convenience.

FAAN assured travellers that their safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience would remain at the centre of its decisions.

FAAN reinstates Bolt at airports, denies fixing taxi fares