The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has authorised Bolt to restart its e-hailing operations at airports under its management, following the resolution of issues that had temporarily affected the company’s services.
The authority said the decision was reached after a series of discussions with Bolt, leading both parties to agree on a framework governing the company’s operations within FAAN-managed airports.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, FAAN confirmed that Bolt could immediately resume its services.
“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,” FAAN stated.
The development follows a temporary disruption of e-hailing services at some of the airports, a situation that generated complaints from passengers who faced limited transportation alternatives.
FAAN explained that its efforts to strengthen the regulation of commercial transport at airports were prompted by concerns surrounding passenger solicitation, touting, unauthorised operations, random pick-ups and security risks.
“These challenges, which in some instances involve drivers operating across more than one platform, have made it necessary for the Authority to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation within the airport,” the authority said.
As part of its measures to improve order and accountability within airport transportation, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, otherwise known as ACHRAMS.
The authority clarified that ACHRAMS was designed specifically to manage airport car-hire ranks and was not intended to rival digital mobility platforms.
“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,” it stated.
FAAN said the agreement with Bolt showed that appropriate airport regulations and security measures could be maintained without taking away passengers’ access to convenient e-hailing services.
“The resolution demonstrates that it is possible to protect the integrity and security of the airport environment while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice that e-hailing services provide to passengers,” FAAN said.
According to the authority, talks with other e-hailing operators are still underway, with expectations that the remaining discussions will be resolved soon.
“FAAN remains engaged with other e-hailing operators and is confident that the outstanding discussions will be concluded in the coming days,” it stated.
FAAN added that travellers could continue to select whichever transportation option suited them, as long as the operators complied with the rules governing services at the airports.
“FAAN reiterates that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs,” it said.
The authority also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused during the period when e-hailing services were disrupted.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN stated, stressing that passenger welfare, convenience and safety remained important considerations in its decisions.
The resolution is expected to restore Bolt services at FAAN-controlled airports, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, where passengers had raised concerns over the temporary restriction.
