The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed that it has addressed the issue of exorbitant taxi fare increases at airports across Nigeria following the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo,
Its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, in a statement issued Thursday said for nearly a decade, FAAN has been working to address challenges arising from the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles within the airport environment.
This, it noted, included the increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, and associated safety, security and accountability concerns.
It added that these challenges, which in some instances involved drivers operating across more than one platform, have made it necessary for the agency to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within the airport.
The agency explained that it was in response to these concerns that it introduced ACHRAMS (Airport Car Hire Rank Management System), a queue-management and airport transportation management system designed to bring greater structure, visibility and accountability to the operations of authorised airport car-hire services.
It noted: “ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform. Its function is limited to the management of airport car-hire ranks and the authorised operations associated with them.
“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation.”
The agency noted that it was also important to clarify that the fares highlighted in some of the recent public discussions were not rates newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS.
It emphasised that airport taxi fares have existed independently of the application, and the rates themselves were not substantially different from those previously applicable.
It added: “What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around the prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the cost more readily apparent to passengers.”
The agency said it however recognised that the comparison with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms understandably heightened public concern.
FAAN said it was aware of and appreciated the concerns expressed by passengers over the increased cost and inconvenience experienced during the temporary interruption of e-hailing services.
It stressed that while the authority’s actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, it acknowledged the immediate impact on passengers was significant.
It noted: “We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers. We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments.
“FAAN and Bolt have reached an agreeable operational framework and Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately.
“FAAN remains engaged with other e-hailing operators and is confident that the outstanding discussions will be concluded in the coming days.”
The agency reiterated that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment,” it said.