The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered all airport cab operators across the country to upgrade their fleets to newer vehicle models, warning that a proposed extension until October 2026 will serve as the final grace period for compliance.
The directive is part of an aggressive push by the aviation regulator to standardize ground transportation and ensure that the first and last physical touchpoints for travelers match international standards.
The announcement follows recent friction and public concerns raised by the Association of Private Cab Operators regarding the vehicle standardization mandate and a parallel review of operational tariffs, which recently adjusted from N500 to N1,500.
Defending the strict vehicle standards, FAAN management emphasised that airports serve as the primary gateways to the nation, shaping the very first impressions for international investors and transit passengers.
According to the authority, travellers paying for premium airport services deserve clean, roadworthy, comfortable, and professionally maintained vehicles. The upgrade order is designed to systematically weed out dilapidated, un-airconditioned cars that damage the image of Nigeria’s modernized terminals.
FAAN clarified that the policy is not intended to punish operators or disrupt legitimate businesses, but rather to enforce a culture of service excellence that centers around passenger comfort.
Addressing complaints surrounding the new tariff review, FAAN in a statement revealed that it had maintained the previous N500 ground operational tariff for over eight consecutive years despite massive macroeconomic shifts.
During this eight-year window, Nigeria’s operating landscape experienced substantial inflationary pressures, steep increases in vehicle maintenance expenses, and an overall rise in the cost of doing business.
The authority stated that the adjustment to N1,500 is a necessary step to ensure the financial sustainability of critical airport landside infrastructure, bringing ground transport costs in line with current economic realities.
Responding to allegations that it has refused to engage transport stakeholders, FAAN clarified that it maintains a highly structured engagement framework—but with a strict boundary.
The authority emphasized that its legal and contractual relationships exist solely with registered corporate cab companies licensed to operate within the airports, rather than with third-party trade associations or unions acting on their behalf.
FAAN strongly rejected claims that the fleet upgrade timeline is sudden, detailing a two-year runway of extensions and concessions already granted to help operators transition.
The policy was first put on the table in July 2024. Acknowledging the tough economic climate, FAAN subsequently shifted the deadline to January 2026, and later extended it to June 2026.
In a further show of goodwill, management confirmed it is currently considering a final compliance extension until October 2026.
However, the regulator stressed that given the multiple windows already provided over a 24-month period, no further requests for extensions will be entertained beyond the October threshold. Operators who fail to modernize their vehicles by then risk losing their access to airport transit corridors entirely.
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