Bolt Returns To FAAN Airports As Authority Resolves E-Hailing Dispute
By OBIOMA TORI
THE Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared Bolt to resume operations at airports under its management after resolving outstanding operational issues with the e-hailing company.
FAAN said the decision followed recent discussions with Bolt aimed at creating a sustainable framework for e-hailing services within airport environments.
The authority announced the development in a statement signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, in Lagos on Thursday.
The resolution ends a temporary disruption that had affected passengers who relied on e-hailing services for airport pickups and drop-offs. FAAN apologised for the inconvenience caused during the suspension.
According to the authority, the dispute emerged from long-standing challenges surrounding commercial and e-hailing vehicle operations at airports. These include passenger solicitation, touting, unregulated activity, random pickups and concerns over safety, security and accountability.
To address those challenges, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, known as ACHRAMS. The system manages authorised airport car-hire ranks and seeks to improve order, visibility and accountability.
FAAN, however, stressed that ACHRAMS does not compete with Bolt, Uber or other e-hailing platforms. The authority said the system was never designed as an e-hailing application or as a means of creating a monopoly in airport transportation.
It also clarified controversy surrounding airport taxi fares. Agbebire said ACHRAMS did not introduce new charges, adding that prevailing airport taxi rates existed independently of the system.
Nevertheless, the authority acknowledged that passengers became more concerned about transport costs when e-hailing services were temporarily unavailable. Many had become accustomed to lower fares offered through digital mobility platforms.
FAAN said its regulatory measures focused on safety and security rather than economic interests. It also recognised the importance of preserving passengers’ convenience and freedom of choice.
“We have listened, reflected and made necessary adjustments,” Agbebire said.
The authority said its agreement with Bolt showed that airport security could coexist with modern mobility services. FAAN added that it was also engaging other e-hailing operators and expected those discussions to produce further agreements.
The development could restore greater transport choice for passengers while allowing FAAN to maintain tighter oversight of commercial vehicle activity within airport premises.
