FAAN clears Bolt to resume operations at Nigerian airports

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has lifted its restriction on Bolt, allowing the e-hailing service to resume operations at managed airports immediately. The decision follows the establishment of a new operational framework after constructive engagements between FAAN and the company. The reversal comes after significant public backlash and passenger complaints regarding increased transportation costs and inconvenience during the service interruption.

The controversy was fueled by reports of exorbitant taxi fares, including a viral instance where a passenger was quoted ₦30,000 for a trip from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Ikeja, a journey typically costing much less. FAAN clarified that its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) did not set these rates, but rather provided visibility for existing airport taxi fares. The authority emphasized that ACHRAMS is a management tool for authorized car-hire ranks and not a competitor to e-hailing platforms like Bolt or Uber.

The intervention by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, helped expedite the resolution. FAAN stated that the regulatory measures were intended to address long-standing issues such as passenger solicitation, touting, unregulated operations, and safety and security concerns. The authority remains in discussions with other e-hailing operators to reach similar agreements.