Cancún Airport Rules Out Designated Areas for Uber and Ride-Hailing Services

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Cancún International Airport has no intention of opening designated areas for ride-hailing services like Uber, DiDi, or Cabify, airport officials said, maintaining a stance that has led to ongoing fines, legal conflicts, and restrictions for both users and drivers.

Sources with Aeropuertos del Sureste (Asur), the airport operator, indicated there is currently no project to permit such services at the facility, a major entry point for tourism in Mexico. This contrasts with federal government discussions about potentially activating exclusive zones for digital platforms at Mexico City’s international airport.

The federal Secretariat of Infrastructure, Communications, and Transport (SICT) reiterated that these apps lack authorization to pick up passengers within the federal zones of the country’s 71 airports. The agency stated these companies do not possess the permits required by federal aviation and transport laws.

In a statement, the SICT specified that passenger pickup is exclusive to transporters authorized by the Federal Civil Aviation Agency and airport administrators. Consequently, the National Guard maintains surveillance operations to prevent platform vehicles from collecting users in arrival areas.

Although Uber obtained court injunctions in October 2025 to prevent arbitrary detentions, authorities emphasized these judicial suspensions do not legalize operations inside airport facilities. Rubén Martínez López, a federally licensed transporter, explained these vehicles can currently drop off passengers at the terminal, but pickup in the arrivals zone remains illegal.

From the technology side, Águeda Esperilla Soto, a spokesperson for Uber in Cancún, stated the Thirteenth District Court granted a definitive suspension. “This court order prevents the National Guard from detaining, sanctioning, or fining drivers for dropping off or picking up passengers at Mexico’s airports,” she said.

However, she acknowledged that fines continued until recently, sometimes under arguments of improper parking. Fines can reach 48,000 pesos, while parking violations are around 11,000 pesos, plus towing costs of approximately 15,000 pesos. Esperilla Soto revealed that for nearly a year, an average of one infraction was recorded daily and admitted some operators have resorted to corrupt acts with federal officers to avoid vehicle impoundment.

The dispute directly impacts users. Mariana López Hernández, a frequent visitor, said she would prefer to use apps because taxis charge excessive rates. “They practically force you to take airport taxis with abusive prices,” she commented. Tourist Jorge Ramírez Salgado similarly considered the restrictions limit competition and affect those arriving in the early morning hours.

From the taxi union, Carlos Castillo Hernández argued that allowing platforms would generate unfair competition, as taxi drivers pay for concessions and federal permits. Álvaro Rosado Ortiz, with three decades of service, added that while they respect freedom of choice, everything should be regulated. He noted some colleagues even use the Uber app but complain the company retains 40 percent of each fare.

To date, neither the state government nor airport concessionaires have announced a plan to enable a scheme allowing coexistence between traditional transport and digital platforms at the tourist hub.