By Abubakar Yunusa
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) announced it has cleared Bolt to resume operations at airports.
This comes days after the authority said it has not banned e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, from operating at the nation’s airports.
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.
The authority said the resolution demonstrates that airport security and integrity can be protected while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice that e-hailing services provide to passengers.
The development follows concerns raised by passengers over the recent interruption of e-hailing services at FAAN-managed 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.”
FAAN said it remains engaged with other e-hailing operators and is confident that the outstanding discussions will be concluded in the coming days.
The authority 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,” the authority added.
FAAN appreciated passengers for their patience and understanding during the period of inconvenience caused by efforts to establish an agreeable and sustainable operational framework for e-hailing services at its airports.
According to the authority, it has been working for nearly a decade to address challenges arising from the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles within the airport environment.
The agency said the challenges include passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups, and associated safety, security and accountability concerns.
“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,” FAAN said.
The authority said it introduced the airport car hire rank management system (ACHRAMS) in response to the concerns.
FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never designed to compete with 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,” the statement added.
“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation.”
FAAN also clarified that the fares highlighted in recent public discussions were not rates newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS.
The agency said airport taxi fares had existed independently of the application and 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.”
FAAN thanked the travelling public for its patience and understanding and assured passengers that their safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience remain at the centre of its decisions.
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