Airport taxi operators across Nigeria have thrown their weight behind the “Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria‘s (FAAN) planned introduction of an electronic booking platform for airport transportation services.

The operators said the initiative was a step towards aligning Nigerian airports with global best practices.

The operators, however, appealed to FAAN to grant them a 12-month extension on the enforcement of its policy requiring airport taxi operators to use vehicles manufactured from 2012 and above.

Speaking on behalf of airport cab operators over the weekend in Lagos, the Chairman of the International Terminal Zone (ITZ), Mr. Charles Odofin, said the operators fully support the e-booking system, which he noted would enhance efficiency, transparency and service delivery within the nation’s airports.

According to him, the adoption of an e-booking application was consistent with what is obtained in leading international airports around the world and would ultimately benefit passengers, operators and airport authorities alike.

He said: “We support FAAN on the introduction of the e-booking app. It will be beneficial to all. Since this is what is in place in other parts of the world, we cannot be an exception. We are ready to key into it.”

Despite the body’s support for the digital initiative, the operators urged FAAN’s management to reconsider the timeline for the implementation of the 2012 vehicle model policy, citing the current economic and financial challenges confronting many operators.

Odofin disclosed that a formal letter had been submitted to the Managing Director of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, seeking her approval for a grace period that would allow existing vehicles currently certified for airport operations to remain in service until June 2027.

He explained that all vehicles currently operating at airport terminals nationwide had successfully undergone FAAN’s inspection exercise conducted in May 2026 and were subsequently cleared to operate until December 2026.

The operators are therefore requesting an additional 12 months before full enforcement of the new vehicle age requirement.

According to him, while a small percentage of operators had already upgraded to 2012 model vehicles, the majority were still struggling to do so because of the high acquisition costs and the current economic conditions in the country.

He estimated that fewer than five per cent of airport taxi operators nationwide had been able to comply with the new policy.

Odofin recalled that airport taxi operators faced a similar situation in 2007 when FAAN directed them to migrate from Mercedes-Benz V-Boot vehicles to 2004 Toyota Camry models.

He noted that the authority at the time granted operators a 24-month implementation period, which enabled them to secure financing support from financial institutions and successfully transitioned to the new vehicle fleet.

The operators appealed to the FAAN management to consider their request in the interest of ensuring a smooth and seamless transition to the new vehicle standards.

On the proposed adoption of electric vehicles within airport taxi operations, the operators said consultations had already commenced with at least two companies interested in partnering with them.