FAAN Clarifies Uber, Bolt Not Banned At Nigerian Airports

FAAN Clarifies Uber, Bolt Not Banned at Nigerian Airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN has clarified that it has not imposed a blanket ban on e-hailing platforms such as Uber and Bolt at airports across the country. The clarification follows recent reports and concerns over the operations of e-hailing services at some Nigerian airports. FAAN said its position is not intended to restrict passengers’ access to transportation options or undermine the convenience provided by e-hailing platforms. According to the Authority, airports are highly regulated environments, requiring commercial transport operators to work within an appropriate framework that provides visibility over their vehicles, drivers and operations. FAAN said such regulation is necessary to ensure passenger safety, security and convenience, while also allowing authorities to respond effectively to security or passenger-related incidents. FAAN The Authority also pointed to concerns arising from commercial transportation activities around airport premises, including passenger solicitation and touting. FAAN said it has therefore been engaging Uber, Bolt and other relevant operators to establish a mutually workable framework that addresses operational, security and passenger-experience concerns. The Authority stressed that its ACHRAMS platform is not an e-hailing application and is not intended to compete with Uber, Bolt or other ride-hailing companies. Instead, it was developed to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment and facilitate the management of applicable airport charges. FAAN said discussions with the affected operators are ongoing and expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached soon, allowing e-hailing services to continue operating within a regulated framework. The Authority reiterated that its priority is to ensure passengers have access to safe, secure, orderly and seamless transportation options at Nigerian airport