FAAN Reverses Ban, Clears Bolt to Resume Airport Operations

By Temitope Adebiyi, Correspondent

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared the e-hailing platform Bolt to resume operations at airports. NigerianStudent Resources

This follows days after the authority said it had not banned e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, from operating at the nation’s airports.

In recent days, FAAN faced criticism over the cost of its newly introduced airport car-hire service after a viral video showed a passenger quoted N30,000 for a trip from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to Ikeja.

Controversy erupted after travel content creator Chris Joondeph, popularly known as “Authentic Travelling”, shared his experience at the Lagos airport on TikTok, saying he was shocked when an airport car-hire operator quoted N30,000 for a ride to the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja.

In a statement on Thursday, FAAN said the decision followed constructive engagements with Bolt to establish an agreeable operational framework for e-hailing services at the airports.

“FAAN is aware of and deeply appreciates 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,” the statement reads.

“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.

“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.”.

“Its function is limited to the management of airport car-hire ranks and the authorised operations associated with them,” the statement added.

“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation.”

The agency said airport taxi fares had existed independently of the application and that the rates were not substantially different from those previously applicable.

“What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers,” the authority said.

“FAAN recognises, however, that the comparison with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably heightened public concern.”