The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has given clarification following recent reports and public conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some of the nation’s airports.
FAAN, in a statement by its Management, said 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.
Rather, FAAN’s primary responsibility is to ensure that activities within the airport environment are conducted in a manner that guarantees the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.
According to the Authority, airports are highly regulated environments. Consequently, all commercial transportation services operating within airport premises are required to have an appropriate framework that provides the airport authority with adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers, while also ensuring effective coordination in the event of a security or passenger related incident.
“This is particularly important given the volume and nature of passenger movements at our airports and the need to ensure that persons providing transportation services within the airport environment are identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework”, it said.
FAAN also clarified a misconception regarding the Authority’s ACHRAMS platform, noting that 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.
“It was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while also facilitating seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
“The Authority has, over time, received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises, including issues relating to passenger solicitation and touting. These concerns make it imperative for FAAN to have a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at the airport.
“Against this background, 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 current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services. Rather, it is part of an ongoing process of operational alignment with the objective of ensuring that e-hailing services can continue to serve passengers within a framework that meets the requirements of the airport.
“FAAN recognises the significant convenience and additional choice that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to passengers. The Authority equally appreciates the concerns being expressed by passengers who may experience inconvenience while these operational issues are being resolved.
“For this reason, FAAN is keen to see the discussions concluded expeditiously. The Authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues, particularly those relating to passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within the airport environment”, the Management said.
FAAN noted that it remains confident that a mutually acceptable understanding will be reached shortly.
The Authority reiterated that its actions are guided by one overriding consideration: to protect passengers while providing them with a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.
“FAAN remains committed to working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to achieve this objective and ensure that passengers continue to have safe and convenient transportation options at our airports”, it concluded.
