Not mindful, not demure

airport uber restrictions, Canelo & ya güey!

Author

Rocio Lucero
September 19, 2024

Hola, ¿cómo les fue con el simulacro? 

Today, we're diving into the latest buzz from Mexico City’s airport—new restrictions on ridesharing apps and the traveler backlash that followed. Will we really have to trek that far to catch an Uber? TBD.

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TOP NEWS 

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The Mexico City International Airport (AICM) has introduced new restrictions on ridesharing apps at its terminals—but Uber insists the new rule doesn’t apply to them.

Tell me more.

Last Wednesday, AICM posted a brief announcement on X, informing passengers that ridesharing services like Uber, Cabify, and Didi are no longer permitted to pick up passengers within the terminal grounds. Similar to many U.S. airports, AICM has designated pick-up points at Terminals 1 and 2, but these are notably further from the terminals—about half a kilometer, or 0.3 miles away.

The move appears to favor registered taxis, which must pay over 2,000 pesos in permit fees, meet vehicle size requirements, carry federal plates, and require drivers to pass a 5,000 pesos medical exam to operate legally at the airport.

The public reaction was quick and largely negative. Despite officials claiming the move would enhance security and ease traffic congestion, many voiced frustration over the inconvenience, potential safety concerns, and the higher prices and inefficiency of traditional airport taxis.

In response, Uber declared it would continue to operate inside the terminal grounds, citing protection from a legal injunction granted after restrictions were introduced at AICM in 2022. Uber urged the airport to respect the injunction and allow tourists the freedom to choose their preferred transportation.

Didi, on the other hand, has stated it will comply with the new restrictions.

What does this mean?

While AICM has not directly addressed Uber’s statement, it did announce significant fines for ridesharing companies that violate the new rules. Penalties range from 43,440 pesos (US $2,254) to 130,320 pesos (US $6,762), and non-compliant vehicles risk being impounded, adding further financial burdens to these services.

Federal authorities have yet to clarify whether Uber is legally allowed to operate at the airport on a regular basis. However, Secretary of the Navy José Rafael Ojeda Durán recently revealed that there are ongoing efforts to regulate ridesharing services, not just at AICM, but at airports across the country.

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CULTURE & HAPPENINGS
DID YOU KNOW?  

That chilangos use the term “campechana” to describe mixing or combining things? I used to think it was connected to the state of Campeche, but interestingly, there’s no actual link between them.

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