FAAN Pledges Passenger Facilitation, Security at Airports
Chinedu Eze The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that one of the primary duties of airport management is ensuring that the passenger who just arrived at the
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has expressed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of passengers at airports, as well as their seamless transportation to and from aircraft. This responsibility extends to both arriving and departing passengers, who must be facilitated and processed efficiently. FAAN is interested in taxi service operators who transport arriving passengers from the airport to their desired destinations, and has streamlined these operations at major airports in Nigeria.
A recent development has stirred controversy between FAAN and e-hailing taxi providers like Uber and Bolt, as these platforms have alleged they have been excluded from operating at airports. FAAN's Director of Public Affairs & Corporate Protocol, Henry Agbebire, clarified that the ongoing debate around e-hailing services at Nigerian airports requires a broader perspective.
He acknowledged that passengers desire convenient, affordable, and readily available transportation upon arrival at an airport, and e-hailing platforms have indeed transformed urban mobility and become an important part of the travel experience for many Nigerians. FAAN recognizes and supports this trend.
However, Agbebire emphasized that the focus should be on how commercial transportation operates within a highly regulated airport environment. He explained that airports are highly security-sensitive with thousands of passengers, employees, vehicles, and service providers interacting daily. Consequently, every commercial vehicle operating within the airport environment must be identifiable, accountable, and tracked if a security or passenger-related incident occurs.
FAAN aims to open negotiations with e-hailing service providers to align with the agency's new policy on taxi operations, rather than restricting their presence at airports.
FAAN's Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) is not an attempt to create an alternative e-hailing platform, but rather a system to provide greater operational visibility and tracking within the airport environment while facilitating accountable management of applicable concession and related airport charges. The broader objective is to bring greater structure to airport ground transportation and address long-standing challenges associated with unregulated activities, passenger solicitation, and touting.
Agbebire stressed that competition remains healthy, as it allows passengers to make informed choices and fosters innovation. However, none of these factors should compromise the airport authority's operational visibility over vehicles and persons operating within its environment.
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