THUR AUG 27 2026-theGBJournal| The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has resolved its operational dispute with ride-hailing company Bolt, clearing the platform to resume services at airports under its management with immediate effect.
The authority also apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption and thanked them for their patience and understanding.
FAAN said it had been working for nearly a decade to address challenges linked to commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating within airport environments, including passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups and concerns over safety, security and accountability.
The authority said some of these challenges involved drivers operating across more than one platform, making it necessary to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation at airports.
In response, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), a queue-management and airport transportation system designed to provide greater structure, visibility and accountability for authorised airport car-hire services.
FAAN stressed 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 authority said.
FAAN also said it supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation.
The authority clarified that the airport taxi fares that generated public criticism were not newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS. It said airport taxi fares had existed independently and 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,” FAAN said.
It acknowledged, however, that comparisons with the lower fares passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms had heightened public concern.
“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,” the authority said.
“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers.”
FAAN said its actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, while acknowledging that the immediate impact on passengers was significant.
“We have listened, reflected and made the necessary adjustments,” it said.
Following constructive engagements, FAAN said it and Bolt had reached an agreeable operational framework, allowing Bolt to commence services at FAAN-managed airports immediately.
The authority said the agreement showed that airport security and integrity could be protected while preserving the convenience and freedom of choice provided by e-hailing services.
FAAN added that it remained engaged with other e-hailing operators and expected outstanding discussions to be concluded in the coming days.
“FAAN reiterates that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs,” the authority said.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.”
The authority thanked passengers for their patience and understanding, assuring them that safety, security, convenience and the overall airport experience remained at the centre of its decisions.
The resolution follows growing public concern over disruptions to e-hailing services and higher airport transport costs, particularly after FAAN introduced its new framework for managing commercial transportation within airport premises.
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