The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has clarified that Uber, Bolt and other e-hailing services have not been banned from operating at Nigerian airports.
According to The Punch, FAAN made the clarification in a statement issued on Thursday, following reports and public concerns over restrictions affecting e-hailing operators at some of its managed airports, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The authority explained that its ongoing engagement with the operators was aimed at developing an operational framework that would prioritise passenger safety, security and orderly airport operations.
“FAAN wishes to clarify that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers,” the authority said.
According to FAAN, airports operate within highly regulated environments, requiring commercial transport providers to comply with systems that allow the authority to identify and monitor vehicles and drivers.
It said the arrangement was necessary to ensure that transport operators were “identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.”
The authority also addressed concerns surrounding the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS, a digital platform introduced to modernise ground transportation services at airports, enhance passenger safety and support cashless transactions.
The rollout of ACHRAMS has sparked concerns and protests over vehicle requirements, registration procedures and the integration of e-hailing drivers into the airport transportation system.
FAAN stressed that ACHRAMS was not introduced as a rival to existing ride-hailing platforms.
“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and is not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform,” the authority stated.
FAAN said ACHRAMS was primarily designed to provide operational visibility and tracking within airport premises while supporting the administration of applicable concessions and related charges.
The authority added that complaints and operational difficulties linked to commercial transportation activities, including passenger solicitation and touting, had necessitated the development of a more structured system.
It said it had therefore been engaging e-hailing companies to develop “a mutually workable operational framework” that would preserve the benefits of their services while addressing concerns around safety, accountability, security and passenger experience.
“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” it said.
FAAN acknowledged that some passengers may have experienced inconvenience during the ongoing discussions, adding that it was working to resolve the outstanding issues as quickly as possible.
The authority said the discussions were focused on passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the proper management of pick-up activities within airport premises.
“The Authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues,” it stated.
FAAN expressed confidence that an agreement acceptable to all parties would be reached soon, maintaining that its primary objective was to ensure a “safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.”
The authority further reaffirmed its willingness to work with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that travellers continue to have access to safe and convenient transportation options at Nigerian airports.
