The Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators (NUPCO) has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to engage airport cab operators constructively and with mutual respect, warning that recent policies by the authority could disrupt efficient airport transport services.

NUPCO National President, Adeola Adepegba and Assistant General Secretary, Sadiq Adebisi, in a statement, said FAAN’s response to its earlier press conference had reinforced concerns over what it described as a “divide and rule” approach in dealing with airport cab operators.

They accused FAAN of refusing to formally recognise the union despite its registration and prior notification to the authority, arguing that this move undermines workers’ constitutional right to unionise.

According to them, FAAN’s decision to deal directly with individual cab companies instead of the union violates Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association.

The union also criticised FAAN’s directive on vehicle upgrades, describing the policy as arbitrary and contradictory.

They said FAAN had, in May 2026, certified its operational vehicles as roadworthy and licensed them to operate until May 2027 following its yearly vehicle inspection, only to impose a July 1, 2026 deadline later, subsequently extended to October, for operators to upgrade their vehicles.

They argued that the sudden policy reversal raises concerns over what it termed a possible hidden agenda to displace long-standing operators.

While reiterating that it was not opposed to fleet renewal, the union maintained that newer vehicles do not automatically guarantee better service if they are not properly maintained.

NUPCO noted that its members have provided transport services at Nigerian airports for nearly five decades, maintaining what it described as safe, reliable and professional operations for passengers.

The union also opposed FAAN’s decision to increase airport cab tariffs from N500 to N1, 500, describing the 300 per cent hike as excessive and an added burden on travellers already contending with high transportation costs.

They argued that retaining the existing tariff would not significantly affect FAAN’s operational costs, noting that the charge is only one of several revenue streams available to the authority.

The union called on FAAN to review its policies and open channels of dialogue with the union to foster industrial harmony and sustain efficient airport transport services in the interest of the travelling public.