PASSENGER SAFETY AND SEAMLESS AIRPORT MOBILITY REMAIN FAAN’S PRIORITY

 PASSENGER SAFETY AND SEAMLESS AIRPORT MOBILITY REMAIN FAAN’S PRIORITY

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is committed to ensuring that every passenger who passes through Nigeria’s airports enjoys a safe, secure, orderly and seamless travel experience.

As part of this commitment, the Authority has continued to engage stakeholders across the aviation and mobility ecosystem to strengthen transportation services within and around the nation’s airports.

Recent public conversations regarding the operations of e-hailing services, including Uber and Bolt, at some Nigerian airports have highlighted the importance of establishing an operational framework that balances passenger convenience with safety, security, accountability and effective airport management.

FAAN’s position has never been about restricting passengers’ access to transportation choices or undermining the important role that e-hailing platforms play in modern airport mobility. On the contrary, the Authority recognises the convenience, flexibility and additional choices these platforms provide to air travellers.

The objective is to ensure that these services operate within an environment that is properly coordinated, transparent and aligned with the unique requirements of an airport.

SAFETY FIRST

Airports are highly regulated environments, with large volumes of passengers, vehicles and commercial activities operating within a confined and security-sensitive space. It is therefore essential that commercial transportation providers operating within airport premises are identifiable, accountable and integrated into the airport’s operational and security framework.

FAAN has, over time, observed and received complaints relating to commercial transportation activities around airport premises, including passenger solicitation, touting and the use of vehicles that may not meet the standards expected within the airport environment.

The Authority’s engagement with transportation operators is therefore aimed at promoting a system in which vehicles accessing airport premises are properly identified and meet appropriate operational and safety requirements.

This is not about limiting mobility. It is about raising the standard of airport mobility.

FAAN believes that passengers should be able to request a ride conveniently while also having confidence that the vehicle and driver picking them up at the airport are operating within a framework that provides appropriate visibility and accountability.

ACHRAMS: ENABLING VISIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Another important aspect of FAAN’s approach is the Authority’s ACHRAMS platform.

ACHRAMS is not an e-hailing application, nor was it developed to compete with or replicate the services provided by Uber, Bolt or other mobility platforms.

Rather, the platform is primarily an airport management and operational tool designed to provide visibility and tracking of relevant activities within the airport environment, while supporting the transparent and accountable administration of applicable concession and related airport charges.

For FAAN, visibility is an important component of effective airport management.

A properly structured system enables the Authority to better understand the vehicles and operators accessing the airport, support accountability and facilitate appropriate intervention where necessary, particularly in situations involving passenger welfare, security or operational incidents.

It also provides a clearer framework for the management of applicable commercial activities and associated charges.

ADDRESSING PASSENGER EXPERIENCE

FAAN recognises that passenger experience extends beyond the aircraft itself. From arrival at the terminal to baggage collection and onward transportation, every stage of the journey contributes to a traveller’s overall impression of the airport.

This is why the Authority is particularly conscious of issues that may affect passengers using e-hailing services.

The objective is to create a system where passengers can enjoy the convenience of digital mobility platforms without being exposed to avoidable challenges such as unregulated pick-up activities, passenger solicitation, uncertainty over vehicle identification or inadequate accountability.

FAAN’s efforts are therefore directed towards creating a more organised and passenger-friendly airport mobility ecosystem.

WORKING WITH MOBILITY PROVIDERS

FAAN has been engaging relevant e-hailing operators to develop a mutually workable operational framework that recognises the value of their services while addressing the peculiar requirements of the airport environment.

These discussions are focused on practical issues including passenger safety and security, operational visibility, driver and vehicle accountability, orderly pick-up arrangements and the effective management of applicable airport-related commercial activities.

The Authority remains confident that continued engagement will produce an outcome that works for all stakeholders—most importantly, the travelling public.

FAAN equally appreciates the concerns of passengers who may experience temporary inconvenience while operational issues are being resolved. For this reason, the Authority is committed to concluding the ongoing engagements as expeditiously as possible.

A SHARED OBJECTIVE

At the heart of the discussions between FAAN and mobility providers is a shared objective: making airport transportation safer, more accountable and more seamless for passengers.

FAAN does not see technology-enabled mobility as a challenge to airport operations. Rather, the Authority sees it as an opportunity to modernise the passenger journey while ensuring that innovation operates within the safety and security standards required of an international airport environment.

The Authority also recognises that passengers increasingly expect choice, convenience and ease of movement. FAAN is therefore committed to working with Uber, Bolt and other mobility providers to ensure that these expectations can be met within a structured and sustainable airport transportation framework.

Ultimately, the issue is not about choosing between passenger convenience and airport regulation.

It is about achieving both.

FAAN’s overriding responsibility is to protect passengers and other airport users while creating an environment in which legitimate mobility services can operate efficiently, transparently and safely.

The Authority remains committed to collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement as it works towards delivering a safer, more orderly and seamless airport experience for every passenger.