Mumbai Airport News
Mumbai, August 19: Passengers travelling through Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) faced some inconvenience on Tuesday after a section of app-based cab drivers stopped accepting bookings. The drivers staged a work stoppage to protest against aggregator policies and demand changes in fare structures and regulations.
The strike was mainly seen around the Terminal 2 (T2) pickup area. Several app-based cab drivers operating at the airport reportedly restricted bookings on platforms such as Ola and Uber. As a result, passengers arriving at the airport experienced longer waiting times and fewer cabs at the designated pickup points.
However, airport authorities said that flight operations were not affected by the protest. The disruption was mainly related to ground transportation for passengers travelling to and from the airport.
The protesting drivers said their earnings have reduced because of high operating costs, fuel expenses, platform commissions and other charges. They are demanding fixed fares and better payouts for every trip.
Drivers have also asked for the implementation of state-notified base fares. According to them, the existing fare structure does not provide enough income after expenses. They want higher per-kilometre earnings so that they can manage fuel, vehicle maintenance and other costs.
Another major demand of the drivers is action against what they described as unauthorised commercial bike-taxi services. Cab operators claimed that such services compete with licensed four-wheeler taxis and affect their earnings.
The drivers have also raised concerns about carpooling features available on ride-hailing applications. They want such services to be removed or strictly regulated because multiple passengers sharing a ride can reduce the earnings from individual trips, according to the protesting operators.
The sudden reduction in cab availability caused inconvenience for some passengers at Terminal 2. With fewer vehicles accepting bookings, travellers reportedly had to wait longer for app-based taxis, while ride-hailing fares also increased in some cases due to limited availability.
CSMIA authorities issued a passenger advisory during the protest. The airport asked travellers to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternative modes of transport if app-based cab services were not readily available.
The airport also said it appreciated passengers’ understanding and cooperation during the disruption.
The protest highlights the growing concerns among app-based cab drivers about fares, commissions, operating costs and competition from other transport services. Discussions between drivers, aggregators and authorities may be required to address these concerns.
While the strike did not affect flight operations at Mumbai airport, passengers were advised to make alternative travel arrangements and allow extra time for their journey to or from the airport.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
