Mesa Gateway Airport begins citing Uber drivers with trespassing
Sep 6, 2017, 9:06 AM | Updated: 1:32 pm
(AP Photo)
(AP Photo)
PHOENIX — Mesa Gateway Airport said Tuesday that it had a new welcoming process for Uber drivers picking up passengers: a trespassing citation.
The airport said drivers using the popular ride-share app cannot pick people up because the company has yet to enter into an agreement with the facility. Mesa Gateway said the agreement would be “necessary for the protection and safety of both passengers and ride-share drivers conducting business on private property.”
It also noted that federal statutes and Federal Aviation Administration policies require all businesses working on airport property to have either written authorization or a contract.
“We are hopeful that Uber will choose to legally operate here at Gateway Airport and agree to observe the same rules and regulations that every other ground transportation company has found success following,” J. Brian O’Neill, the airport’s executive director, said in a press release.
O’Neill said the facility hoped to make a deal with Uber.
“Our airlines are adding a significant amount of new flights and nonstop destinations this fall, and the need for ground transportation services will sharply increase as well,” he said. “It would be great to add Uber to our list of available resources.”
The airport said the Mesa Police Department started handing out the citations on Friday, which was the beginning of the Labor Day holiday weekend.
Mesa Gateway does have an agreement with another ride-share app, Lyft, that passengers can use.
Uber has agreements with more than 300 airports nationwide, including Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Tucson International Airport.
