Air travelers have criticized the N2000 fee imposed by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on vehicles picking up passengers from the arrivals section at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
Vehicle owners are required to pay N2000 before they can access the arrival gate to pick up passengers.
Passengers who spoke with our correspondent described the fee as excessive and pointed out that it is only in Nigerian airports that travelers are charged to leave the airport premises.
Some passengers noted that travelers are already burdened with numerous taxes and charges, which they claim are higher than those at other airports worldwide.
One passenger expressed frustration, saying, “The main issue for me is that the airports don’t reflect the high amount of money collected from passengers.
They are in poor condition, and airport workers constantly beg for money. It seems like the management overlooks this behavior, allowing it to persist.
“When you enter the airport, security personnel harass you, asking you to open your bags in inappropriate places, like at the entrance, where they shouldn’t be doing that.
First-time travelers are often coerced into giving money. The whole airport experience feels hostile.
“Last time I traveled, my wife came to pick me up, and they stopped her as soon as she entered the arrivals area, demanding N500. That was just last month.
Today, they stopped her again and asked for N2000. I noticed a sign on the wall stating that the fee had increased to N2000.
It seems the airport management wants people to believe that air travel is a luxury by imposing these fees, making it difficult for ordinary people to travel by air,” the passenger told our correspondent.
However, according to THISDAY, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, explained that the fee was introduced to encourage motorists to use the multi-story car park, with those driving directly to arrivals being charged N2000.
 on vehicles picking up passengers from the arrivals section at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.){kind=link}