Just steps away from the 2026 World Cup, raids against Uber at Mexico airports complicate things for travelers

The controversy surrounding these applications highlights a rare case of lack of airport agreements worldwide for these popular ride-sharing companies. A local Uber spokesperson attributed the problems to Mexico’s sudden enforcement of an existing airport ban, a situation that the company does not face elsewhere.

“Uber operates in more than 700 airports worldwide, “But we are only seeing these types of operations in Mexico at this time,” said Esteban Illades, director of corporate communications at Uber Mexico. He said that the company recently deployed a team of lawyers to try to avoid more driver arrests.

Under pressure from traditional taxi companies, Mexican authorities They began to remove vehicles and fine drivers of applications in March. Although law enforcement has been patchy, airport authorities announced they would deploy additional National Guard personnel to reinforce the operation this week.

The tightening of law enforcement comes as Mexico rushes to complete airport improvements before the arrival of a wave of visitors to the three Mexican cities that will host a total of 13 World Cup games.

The battle already causing problems for travelers and regular driverswho face fines of up to 80,000 pesos—more than many earn in months—plus additional costs if their cars are towed away. Although some ride-hailing companies help offset the cost, penalties can leave drivers without work for days.

The repression campaign intensified after a meeting in early March between taxi concessionaire companies and national airport authorities. The companies requested National Guard support in response to ongoing works have saturated the climbing areas at the airports of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterreythe three host cities.

Taxi drivers have long complained that they face stricter licensing rules than their app-based competitors, including permit fees and specific federal requirements for airport-based taxi operators. The major ride-hailing apps, they argue, typically demand less from their contractors and don’t pay airport fees.

Advocates for app drivers respond that traditional taxis They do not have enough capacity to meet demand alone, and point to delays that have sometimes forced passengers to wait in long lines to get an authorized taxi.

Companies with permits to operate at the Benito Juárez International Airport in Mexico City, which receives about 120,000 passengers a day, They own around 1,500 vehicles, according to local media citing airport records.

In an interview, the Navy admiral who directs the Benito Juárez airport, one of the busiest in Latin America, stated that they are working on a solution to assign specific lift zones to app users.

“If the passenger wants to take an Uber from the airport, and if Uber complies with the airport’s operating rules and permits, the airport must facilitate its use in the appropriate areas,” Admiral Juan José Padilla told Bloomberg.

Designated pick-up zones at both airport terminals could involve longer walks to reach them once they are ready, compared to the location of taxi companies.

But Padilla He did not offer a timetable. for the promotion areas of the applications and simply said that They are part of the airport renovation of 10,000 million pesos. About 80% of the work will be completed by the end of May, while the rest will be postponed until after the World Cup ends in July, he said.

Many airports in other countries similarly control curbside pickups, separating app passengers from traditional taxi users.

As transportation apps have grown in popularity, airport trips now represent an important part of the business model.

Around the 15% of Uber gross bookings They are made to or from an airport, product director Sachin Kansal told Bloomberg last month.

Uber also launched a pilot test to install kiosks at select US airports. in order to attract travelers who want to request a trip, but who may not have immediate access to the application.

In Mexico, the stricter measures sparked protests from some app drivers in Mexico City and Guadalajara. Uber obtained an injunction from a federal judge to prevent sanctions on its drivers nationwide, although National Guard officials have said it does not apply to airports and have continued to impose the bans.

The executives of the Chinese company Didi, Uber’s main rival in Mexico, are also pushing for clearer local rules to end confusion.

“The main problem is that the law has to be modified so that it operates in an orderly and collaborative manner,” said Juan Andrés Panamá, director of Didi for Latin America. “We have made progress in many other places, but yes, airports are a little behind in the sense of regulation.”

Uber’s Illades noted that previous disputes in other countries were resolved with the designation of climbing zones for applications.

So far, there is no progress in sight towards a resolution at the main airport in Guadalajara. No pick-up areas are being enabled for applications at the airport, despite the fact that coercive measures against drivers have been observed.

At the Monterrey airport, it is expected that the lift areas for applications will be operational in the “coming weeks”according to comments from the state’s governor earlier this week. But it is not clear if that means they will be an option for World Cup travelers. The first game there will be June 14.