The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says it has not banned e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, from operating at the nation’s airports.
FAAN, in a statement on Thursday, noted reports and public
conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber
and Bolt, at some airports.
The airport authority said its position was not intended to
limit passengers’ access to transportation options or undermine the role of
e-hailing services in providing convenient mobility to air travellers.
Rather, the authority said its 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.
“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,” the statement reads.
“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.”
‘CAR HIRE SYSTEM NOT DEVELOPED TO REPLICATE E-HAILING
SERVICES’
FAAN also clarified what it described as a misconception
regarding its airport car hire rank management system (ACHRAMS).
In June, the agency introduced ACHRAMS to enhance
operational efficiency, improve revenue generation, reduce loitering around
airport arrival areas, and provide passengers with faster and more seamless
access to car hire services at FAAN airports.
According to the statement, FAAN said ACHRAMS is not an
e-hailing application and was not developed to compete with or replicate the
services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform.
The authority said ACHRAMS was developed primarily to
provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment,
while facilitating the seamless and accountable management of applicable
concession and related airport charges.
FAAN said it had, over time, received complaints and
observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation
activities within and around airport premises, including 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,” the authority said.
“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 said it recognises the convenience and additional
transportation options that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to
passengers.
The authority also appreciated concerns from passengers who
may experience inconvenience while the 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,” FAAN said.
“FAAN remains confident that a mutually acceptable
understanding will be reached shortly.”
The authority reiterated that its actions are guided by the
need to protect passengers while providing a safe, secure, orderly and seamless
airport experience.
FAAN said it 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 the airports.
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