Airport cab operators in Nigeria have urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to extend the deadline for replacing vehicles manufactured before 2012. The operators claim that the cost of acquiring compliant vehicles is unaffordable for many small operators and drivers. They support efforts to improve safety, comfort, and service standards at Nigerian airports but fear that the financial burden of replacing their existing vehicles could force some businesses to shut down.
FAAN requires airport cab operators to use vehicles manufactured from 2012 onwards before October 2026. The chairman of the airport cab operators, Prince Amosola, stated that some of the vehicles they are required to acquire cost between N15 million and N18 million or more. He emphasized that the operators are not opposed to the policy but need additional time to raise funds and gradually replace their fleets.
The operators face challenges due to the relatively low income generated from airport transport services. Ekwuemeaku Alex of Edom Comfort Auto Lease Ltd explained that a driver could make between N20,000 and N25,000 from a trip, but fuel and other operating expenses could reduce the amount left for the driver to about N10,000. He added that the situation is particularly difficult because the number of vehicles registered to operate at the airport has increased, while passenger demand remains limited.
Aliu Abdulazee Aliu of Gentle Drive noted that operators who obtained their vehicles through hire-purchase arrangements face an even greater financial burden. According to him, financing an N18 million vehicle could substantially increase the eventual cost of the vehicle. He explained that the principle of hire purchase could double the price of the vehicle.
The operators also questioned how quickly such an investment could be recovered from airport trips. Aliu stated that a typical trip to town could attract a fare of about N25,000, but fuel for taking a passenger to town and returning to the airport could cost between N15,000 and N17,000. He added that FAAN's operational charge had also risen to N1,500, while operators had to bear expenses for vehicle washing, maintenance, and repairs.
According to the operators, the combination of fuel, maintenance, and other operating costs could leave a driver with as little as N4,000 from a N25,000 trip. FAAN had increased its airport cab operational tariff from N500 to N1,500, citing that the previous charge had remained unchanged for more than eight years amid inflation, increased maintenance costs, and other economic pressures.
FAAN has maintained that the vehicle upgrade policy is aimed at ensuring that passengers are provided with clean, roadworthy, and comfortable vehicles. The authority has given no indication of reconsidering the deadline, leaving operators to explore alternative options to meet the requirements. The operators' appeal for an extension will likely be closely watched by stakeholders in the aviation industry.
Key points
- The cost of acquiring compliant vehicles is unaffordable for many small operators and drivers.
- FAAN requires airport cab operators to use vehicles manufactured from 2012 onwards before October 2026.
- The operators face challenges due to the relatively low income generated from airport transport services.
