The authority, in a press release signed by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, on Thursday, said it had listened to concerns raised by passengers and made necessary adjustments following the temporary interruption of e-hailing services.

FAAN said the disruption was caused by challenges arising from the activities of commercial and e-hailing vehicles within the airport environment, including increasing cases of passenger solicitation and touting, unregulated operations, random pick-ups and associated safety, security and accountability concerns.

The authority explained that some drivers were operating across more than one platform, making it difficult to monitor their movements and maintain visibility of commercial transportation activities within the airport.

In response, FAAN introduced the Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS), a queue-management and airport transportation management system designed to bring greater structure, visibility and accountability to authorised airport car-hire services.

FAAN clarified that ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application and was never intended to compete with Uber, Bolt or any other mobile platform.

Rather, the authority said its function is limited to managing airport car-hire ranks and authorised operations associated with them.

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

FAAN also clarified that the fees highlighted in recent public discussions were not newly imposed by the authority and that ACHRAMS airport taxi fares had existed independently of the application, with the rates substantially different from those previously applicable.

According to FAAN, ACHRAMS has provided greater visibility and transparency around prevailing airport-taxi rates, making the actual cost more readily apparent to passengers.

The authority acknowledged concerns over increased costs and inconvenience experienced by passengers during the temporary suspension of e-hailing services and apologised for the difficulties caused.

FAAN said that, following constructive engagements, it had resolved the matter and that Bolt is cleared to commence its services at FAAN-managed airports immediately.

The authority added that discussions with other e-hailing operators were ongoing and expressed confidence that outstanding issues would be resolved in the coming days.

FAAN reiterated that passengers remain free to choose from available transportation options that best meet their needs, stressing that its responsibility is to ensure that authorised services operate 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 overall airport experience remain central to its decisions.

The clarification followed reports and public discussions over the operations of e-hailing companies at some airports, with the authority saying its actions should not be interpreted as an attempt to take away passengers’ transportation choices.

FAAN said it recognised the convenience provided by e-hailing platforms but maintained that commercial transportation operators within airport premises must work within a system that allows the authority to monitor their vehicles, drivers and operations.

“Airports are highly regulated environments. Consequently, all commercial transportation services operating within airport premises are required to have an appropriate framework that provides the airport authority with adequate visibility over their operations, vehicles and drivers,” it said.

According to the authority, the arrangement is necessary because of the volume and nature of passenger movements at airports and the need for transportation providers to be identifiable, accountable and integrated into airport security and operational structures.

FAAN also rejected the perception that its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System, ACHRAMS, was introduced as an alternative to e-hailing platforms.

The system, launched in June, was designed to improve airport operations, increase revenue generation, reduce loitering around arrival areas and make car hire services more accessible to passengers.

FAAN said ACHRAMS was developed for operational visibility and tracking, as well as the accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges. It was not created to compete with Uber, Bolt or other e-hailing applications.

The authority said complaints and operational difficulties involving commercial transport around airport premises, including passenger solicitation and touting, had made a formal framework necessary.

It disclosed that it had been engaging e-hailing operators to develop an arrangement that would preserve their services while addressing safety, security, accountability and passenger experience.

“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services,” the authority said.

FAAN acknowledged that passengers could face some inconvenience while the issues were being resolved, but said discussions with affected operators were ongoing, particularly on passenger safety, operational visibility, accountability and the management of airport pick-up activities.

It expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached shortly, adding that it remained committed to working with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to maintain safe and convenient transportation options for air travellers.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the fire was swiftly contained by its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service in collaboration with other emergency responders, allowing activities at the terminal to return to normal. 

According to the aviation authority, the incident prompted immediate safety measures to protect passengers, airport workers and facilities. No fatalities were reported, while the cause of the fire has yet to be officially determined. Investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the outbreak. 

Airport operations, which were briefly affected during the emergency response, have since resumed, with passengers advised to continue their travel plans while adhering to airport safety directives.

Travellers at the airport commended the swift intervention of emergency personnel, whose coordinated response ensured the safety of passengers and the quick restoration of normal activities.

FAAN assured the travelling public that safety remains its top priority and pledged to provide further updates as investigations continue. 

Earlier today A fire incident occurred at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos State.