FAAN explains taxi fare increase after driver protests over vehicle rules

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has explained why it raised operational charges for airport taxi drivers and kept its vehicle upgrade policy. This comes after some cab drivers protested against the new rules.

In a statement on Friday, FAAN said these changes aim to make passenger safety better, improve service quality, and raise the standard of airport transport. They stressed that they are not trying to punish the drivers.

Some airport taxi drivers have asked the Federal Government to delay FAAN’s requirement that taxi vehicles must be from 2020 or newer. In a video shared online, one driver spoke in Yoruba, asking President Bola Tinubu and the public for help. He said many drivers cannot afford to buy new cars in this tough economy.

“This is what we are facing. Nigerians should help us intervene. They said we should go and buy a vehicle from 2020 onwards. Vehicles that cost N18 million and above, with the way Nigeria is now,” the driver said.

He also mentioned that FAAN plans to launch an app for airport taxi operations and asked for a review of the vehicle upgrade policy.

In response, FAAN said they started talking about the vehicle upgrade policy in July 2024. The original deadline for compliance was January 2026, but it was pushed to June 2026 after requests from drivers.

FAAN is now considering extending the deadline to October 2026 to give drivers more time to comply. “In further demonstration of goodwill and consideration, FAAN is currently considering a final extension of the compliance deadline until October 2026. This additional period is expected to provide adequate opportunity for operators to align with the required standards,” the statement said.

However, FAAN made it clear that there will be no more extensions after October.

According to FAAN, the new rules will ensure that airport taxis are clean, safe, comfortable, and properly maintained, which is what passengers expect at international airports.

FAAN also justified increasing the operational fee for airport taxi drivers from N500 to N1,500. They said the previous rate had been the same for over eight years, even though costs have gone up.

The airport authority explained that the new fee will help maintain airport facilities and services. They dismissed claims that they have not talked to taxi operators, saying they regularly engage with licensed airport transport service providers.

FAAN clarified that they have a contract with registered airport cab companies, not with associations or unions. They believe the policy will improve safety, reliability, and customer satisfaction and encouraged drivers to accept the changes to provide better airport transport services.