By Dickson Omobola
Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has disclosed plans to extend the July 1, 2026, deadline requiring airport cab operators to stop using vehicles manufactured before 2012, saying a final extension of the compliance deadline to October 2026 is being considered.
Recall that no fewer than 200 cab operators, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Private Cab Operators, NUPCO, yesterday, threatened to ground operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, within nine days if FAAN fails to reverse what they described as anti-operator policies.
The policies include a directive requiring them to stop using vehicles manufactured before 2012 with effect from July 1, 2026, and an increase in their tariff from N500 to N1,500.
FAAN management, in a statement released to clarify the situation, said the directive requiring airport cab operators to upgrade to newer vehicle models was informed by the need to improve reliability, comfort, safety and overall passenger satisfaction.
According to FAAN, the matter was first discussed extensively with operators as far back as July 2024, when adequate notice was given to enable companies to plan accordingly.
The statement reads: “Following requests from operators, the original deadline was subsequently extended to January 2026. Thereafter, an additional extension was granted until June 2026. These extensions were approved in recognition of the prevailing economic circumstances and to provide operators with sufficient time to comply with the requirements. In further demonstration of goodwill and consideration, FAAN is currently considering a final extension of the compliance deadline until October 2026. This additional period is expected to provide adequate opportunity for operators to align with the required standards.
The post AIRPORT CAB ROW: FAAN weighs extension amid shutdown threat appeared first on Vanguard News.