FAAN Reinstates Bolt at Airports, Clarifies It Did Not Fix Taxi Fares

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced that Bolt is cleared to resume operations at all its airports, following a resolution of the dispute that had suspended e-hailing services at airport terminals.

FAAN also apologised to passengers for the disruption, acknowledging the inconvenience caused during the temporary suspension.

In a statement, the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, clarified that the authority has no control over fares and that airport taxi rates have always existed independently. He dismissed claims that FAAN had imposed new fares or was seeking to create a monopoly in airport transportation.

“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,” Agbebire said.

The resolution followed days of public complaints after e-hailing services were suspended at airports, leaving travellers with limited transport options.

FAAN explained that the suspension was driven by regulatory, safety, and security concerns rather than economic interests. According to the authority, challenges such as passenger solicitation, touting, unregulated operations, and random pick-ups had persisted for nearly a decade.

“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,” Agbebire explained.

FAAN moved to address public concern over perceived fare increases. Agbebire clarified that the fares highlighted in recent discussions were not newly imposed by FAAN or created by ACHRAMS, the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System.

“Airport taxi fares have existed independently of the application, and the rates themselves were not substantially different from those previously applicable,” he stated.

What ACHRAMS introduced was greater visibility and transparency around existing rates, making costs more apparent to passengers. FAAN acknowledged that the comparison with lower e-hailing fares heightened public concern.

FAAN emphasised that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never conceived as a competitor to Uber, Bolt, or other mobility platforms. Its function is limited to managing airport car-hire ranks and authorised operations.

“FAAN supports healthy competition and does not seek to create or promote a monopoly in airport transportation,” Agbirebe stated.

The authority expressed sincere appreciation for passengers’ patience and understanding during the disruption.

“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,” Agbebire said.

FAAN confirmed that it remains engaged with other e-hailing operators and expressed confidence that outstanding discussions would be concluded in the coming days.

“We reiterate that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs,” Agbebire said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that whichever authorised service they choose operates within a safe, secure, orderly and accountable airport environment.”