……Denies declaring blanket ban on e-hailing services.
…Says complaints received, operational challenges observed, passenger solicitation, touting necessitated action
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)says that passengers safety and seamless airport mobility remain its priority .
This is just as it said it has not declared ban on e-hailing services at airports.
FAAN further reassured that it is committed to working collaboratively with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to achieve this objective and ensure that passengers continue to have safe and convenient transportation options at our airports.
FAAN made the clarification and also gave the assurance following a recent reports and public conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some of the nation’s airports.
A statement signed by the management of FAAN explained that its position is not, and has never been, directed at limiting passengers’ access to transportation options or undermining the important role that e-hailing services play in providing convenient mobility to air travellers.
The statement further explained that rather, FAAN’s primary responsibility is to ensure that activities within the airport environment are conducted in a manner that guarantees the safety, security and convenience of passengers and other airport users.
Airports, FAAN said in the statement are highly regulated environments,adding that as a result 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, while also ensuring effective coordination in the event of a security or passenger related incident.
This, FAAN said is particularly important given the volume and nature of passenger movements at its airports and the need to ensure that persons providing transportation services within the airport environment are identifiable, accountable and properly integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.
FAAN also clarified the misconception regarding the authority’s ACHRAMS platform, which it said is not an e-hailing application and that it does not intended to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or any other e-hailing platform.
FAAN said that It was developed primarily to provide operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment, while also facilitating seamless and accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges.
FAAN pointed out that it has over time, received complaints and observed operational challenges associated with commercial transportation activities within and around airport premises, including issues relating to passenger solicitation and touting, adding that these concerns make it imperative for FAAN to have a clear and effective framework for managing commercial transportation activities at the airport.
Against this background, FAAN said that it has been engaging the relevant e-hailing operators to achieve a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar safety, security, accountability and passenger-experience requirements of the airport environment.
“The current situation should therefore not be misconstrued as FAAN declaring a blanket prohibition on e-hailing services. Rather, it is part of an ongoing process of operational alignment with the objective of ensuring that e-hailing services can continue to serve passengers within a framework that meets the requirements of the airport.
“FAAN recognises the significant convenience and additional choice that platforms such as Uber and Bolt provide to passengers. The Authority equally appreciates the concerns being expressed by passengers who may experience inconvenience while these operational issues are being resolved,” FAAN said.
For this reason, FAAN noted that it is keen on seeing the discussions concluded expeditiously, adding that the authority and the affected operators are currently engaged in constructive discussions towards resolving the outstanding issues, particularly those relating to passenger safety and security, operational visibility, accountability and the appropriate management of pick-up activities within the airport environment.
FAAN said that it remain confident that a mutually acceptable understanding will be reached shortly.
It reiterated that its actions are guided by one overriding consideration: to protect passengers while providing them with a safe, secure, orderly and seamless airport experience.
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