FAAN Justifies Airport Taxi Fare Increase Amid Protests
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has responded to backlash from taxi operators following its decision to raise fares for airport taxi services and uphold its vehicle upgrade policy. In a statement released on Friday, FAAN clarified that these changes are designed to enhance passenger safety and improve the overall quality of airport transport services, rather than punish taxi operators.
This clarification comes against the backdrop of a legal challenge from some airport taxi drivers who have sought to suspend FAAN’s requirement that all taxi vehicles meet a model year of 2020 or newer. In a viral video, one driver voiced concerns, explaining in Yoruba that many operators struggle to afford new vehicles given the current economic climate. He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the public for assistance.
The driver lamented the high costs associated with purchasing a new vehicle, noting, “Nigerians should cooperate with our intervention. They said we should go buy a car after 2020. A car that costs more than N18 million as it stands in Nigeria.”
Vehicle Upgrade Policy Under Review
FAAN has stated that the consultation process regarding the vehicle upgrade initiative began in July 2024, with the initial deadline for compliance set for January 2026. After discussions with taxi operators, this deadline was pushed back to June 2026, and a potential final extension to October 2026 is currently being considered.
Officials emphasized that this extension aims to provide operators sufficient time to meet the updated requirements. They also highlighted that no further extensions would be granted after October 2026. FAAN’s statement stressed that the directive is intended to ensure airport taxis are clean, reliable, and align with international standards.
Fare Increase Justified by Rising Costs
In addition to the vehicle upgrade policy, FAAN defended the recent increase in operating fees for airport taxi companies, which have risen from N500 to N1,500. The authority pointed out that the previous fee structure had remained unchanged for over eight years despite increasing operational costs.
This adjustment in fees is expected to aid in the maintenance and enhancement of airport infrastructure and services. FAAN also reinforced its commitment to regular consultations with licensed transportation service providers and rejected claims regarding failures to establish agreements with taxi operators.
The authority clarified that its contractual relationships are exclusively with registered airport taxi companies rather than with associations or trade unions. FAAN reiterated that the overarching aim of these policies is to bolster safety, reliability, and the overall customer experience at Nigeria’s airports.
