AICM Taxi Companies Owe Over MX$36 Million in Debts

The Mexican government recently disclosed that taxi companies with concessions at the Mexico City International Airport (AICM) owe over MX$36 million (US$1.8 million) in unpaid fees. These debts arise from overdue rent, service charges, and energy costs related to their operations in the airport's federal zones. 

Sitio 300 holds the largest share of this debt and is currently under review. Other operators involved include Prho Taxi Ejecutivo, Yellow Cab, Porto Taxi, Casadey, Confort Unlimited, and Nueva Imagen. 

A commercial court has ordered Sitio 300 to submit its financial statements, with the unpaid obligations primarily consisting of compensation, maintenance, and access fees to federal zones. Compounding its problems, an investigation in late 2022 revealed that some identification cards used by Sitio 300 drivers in AICM’s Terminal 1 were being operated illegally.

In an effort to curb misconduct, a direct payment system was introduced in 2022 to ensure better control over financial transactions with taxi concessionaires. This change followed significant debt accumulation by Sitio 300 and other operators.

Simultaneously, the Ministry of Communications and Transportation (SICT) put on hold a proposed reform to the Federal Autotransportation and Auxiliary Services Regulation, which aimed to regulate the presence of ride-hailing services like Uber and DiDi at airports. Milenio reported that the reform could have reduced the operations of concessioned taxi services by 50% 

“Every app-based taxi that picks up passengers at the airport represents a loss of income for the administration. This is why there has been a long-standing preference for concessioned taxi services,” said Rogelio Rodríguez Garduño, former legal advisor, Airports and Auxiliary Services (ASA) agency, and former board member of the AICM. 

Rodríguez Garduño called for a balanced regulatory approach to safeguard airport revenue while meeting the needs of passengers. "The proposal submitted to the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement (CONAMER) needs a thorough review to find a solution that benefits passengers without severely impacting airport income, which is essential for maintaining facilities,” he added.

Traditional taxi operators see the entry of ride-hailing platforms into airports as unfair competition. Concessioned drivers must meet federal regulations that include securing federal plates, licenses, and undergoing regular medical and vehicle inspections. Additionally, their vehicles must be replaced every two years.

"The entry of ride-hailing services puts concessioned operators at a disadvantage, as they must meet stringent regulatory requirements that app-based services do not," Rodríguez Garduño noted.

Uber Pushes Back on Airport Restrictions

In contrast, Uber has resisted restrictions imposed by the AICM. On Sep. 17 and 18, Uber incentivized its drivers with a MX$25 (US$1.29) bonus for each trip to and from the airport.

"Remember, with Uber you can make trips to and from the airport as the app benefits from a definitive suspension in place,” Uber informed its drivers.

This move has further heightened tensions between traditional taxi operators and ride-hailing platforms. El Financiero reported that despite Uber’s legal protections, AICM recently reinstated fines for Uber drivers picking up passengers within the federal zone of the airport.