FAAN Clears Bolt to Resume Airport Operations After Resolving Dispute

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared Bolt to immediately resume operations at airports under its management after reaching an agreement on a new operational framework for e-hailing services.

FAAN, in a statement issued Thursday, said the resolution followed constructive engagements with Bolt aimed at balancing passenger convenience with safety, security and regulatory requirements at the airports.

The authority also apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the temporary disruption of e-hailing services.

The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, said FAAN had spent nearly a decade addressing challenges associated with commercial and e-hailing vehicles operating within the airport environment.

These challenges, according to him, include passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups and concerns over safety, security and accountability.

FAAN said some drivers also operate across multiple platforms, making it necessary to strengthen the management and visibility of commercial transportation services within airport premises.

FAAN Explains ACHRAMS

The authority said its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, ACHRAMS, was introduced in response to these challenges.

FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never designed to compete with Bolt, Uber or other mobility platforms.

Rather, it said the system is intended to manage airport car-hire ranks and authorised transportation operations.

“ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt or any other mobility platform,” FAAN said.

The authority also denied seeking to create a monopoly in airport transportation, stressing that it supports competition among transportation providers.

FAAN Clarifies Airport Taxi Fares

FAAN further explained that the airport taxi fares highlighted during recent public discussions were not newly imposed by the authority or introduced by ACHRAMS.

According to FAAN, the rates had existed independently of the system and were not substantially different from previously applicable airport taxi fares.

It said ACHRAMS merely provided greater visibility and transparency around existing airport taxi rates.

However, FAAN acknowledged that the visibility of those fares, when compared with the lower prices passengers had become accustomed to through e-hailing platforms, contributed to public concerns over transportation costs.

The authority said it recognised the inconvenience and additional costs experienced by passengers during the temporary suspension of e-hailing services.

“We sincerely apologise for the difficulties this caused our passengers,” FAAN said.

It added that although its actions were driven by regulatory, safety and security considerations rather than economic interests, it acknowledged the significant immediate impact on travellers.

Bolt Cleared, Talks With Others Ongoing

FAAN said it had listened to passengers’ concerns and subsequently made necessary adjustments.

The authority confirmed that Bolt is now cleared to commence services immediately at FAAN-managed airports.

It said the agreement demonstrates that airport security and regulatory requirements can be maintained while preserving passengers’ convenience and freedom to choose e-hailing services.

FAAN added that discussions with other e-hailing operators are ongoing and expressed confidence that the outstanding engagements would be concluded in the coming days.

The authority reiterated that passengers remain free to choose among available transportation options that best suit their needs.

It, however, stressed that all authorised operators must comply with safety, security, orderliness and accountability requirements within airport premises.

FAAN thanked travellers for their patience and understanding, assuring them that passengers’ safety, security, convenience and overall airport experience remain central to its decisions.