The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has cleared Bolt to resume operations at the airports it manages, ending a temporary disruption of e-hailing services that had triggered passenger complaints about rising transport costs and limited choice.

FAAN announced on X that it reached an "agreeable operational framework" with Bolt following discussions between the two parties, allowing the ride-hailing company to return to the airports. The authority also apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused by the disruption and reaffirmed that travellers remain free to choose from the transportation options available to them.

The clearance follows an earlier FAAN directive that affected the commercial operations of e-hailing services at its airports. That directive drew criticism from passengers, who voiced concerns about the availability and affordability of airport transportation, particularly once traditional e-hailing pick-ups were interrupted.

FAAN has emphasised that its actions were not intended to compete with private ride-hailing companies or to generate revenue from airport transport. The authority previously stated that it is developing a framework to guarantee safety, security, accountability, and effective management of commercial pick-up activities within airport premises.

The authority also clarified that its Airport Car Hire Rank Management System (ACHRAMS) was developed as a management system for airport access and concessions, rather than as a means of competing with ride-hailing services such as Bolt and Uber.

Under the new agreement, Bolt has become the first major e-hailing service officially confirmed by FAAN as having resolved its outstanding operational issues and resumed services at the airports, a move that restores one app-based transport option while discussions with other operators continue. FAAN indicated that talks with those other e-hailing providers are still in progress and are expected to conclude in the coming days.

The authority said it remains committed to ensuring passengers have access to transportation that is safe, secure, and convenient, adding that bringing commercial transport activities under a regulated framework will strengthen its ability to monitor and manage those services effectively.

The restoration of Bolt's operations is anticipated to provide a much-needed alternative for passengers who depend on app-based transport to travel to and from Nigerian airports. The move follows recent disruptions and mounting public complaints about the absence of reliable transport options, and the agreement stands as a positive development for both travellers and the wider transportation ecosystem at the airports.

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