FAAN Clarifies Position on E-Hailing Operations, Reaffirms Commitment to Passenger Safety, Seamless Mobility
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified its position on the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some of the nation’s airports, stressing that its priority remains the safety, security and convenience of passengers.
According to the Authority, its position is not aimed at restricting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the role of e-hailing platforms in providing convenient mobility to air travellers.
The FAAN management in a press release issued on Thursday, said: “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”.
It explained that airports are highly regulated environments and that all commercial transportation services operating within airport premises are required to have an appropriate framework that gives the Authority adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers.
The Authority said such a framework is necessary to ensure effective coordination in the event of a security or passenger-related incident, while ensuring that persons providing transportation services within the airport environment are identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.
FAAN also clarified that its ACHRAMS platform is not an e-hailing application and was not developed to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing platforms.
“ACHRAMS 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 noted that it has received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises, including issues relating to passenger solicitation and touting.
It said these concerns make it necessary to have a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at airports.
FAAN said it has been engaging relevant e-hailing operators towards achieving 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 Authority stressed that the current situation should not be misconstrued as a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services, describing it instead as part of an ongoing process of operational alignment.
“FAAN remains committed to working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that passengers continue to have safe and convenient transportation options at our airports,” the management said.
FAAN noted the convenience and additional choice provided by e-hailing platforms and is equally mindful of concerns from passengers who may experience inconvenience while the operational issues are being resolved.
The Authority expressed confidence that ongoing discussions with affected operators would lead to a mutually acceptable understanding shortly, particularly on passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within the airport environment.
FAAN reiterated that its actions are guided by the need to protect passengers while providing a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.
