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Uber reaches access deal with Christchurch Airport

Monday, 3 September 2018

From Thursday, Uber will be able to make pick ups at Christchurch Airport.
From Thursday, Uber will be able to make pick ups at Christchurch Airport.

Ride-sharing service Uber has reached an agreement with Christchurch Airport to allow drivers to pick up and drop off passengers.

From Thursday, Uber will be able to use a ride-share zone on the side of the Express Park car park building furthest from the terminal. It is about 100 metres from the terminal entrance. 

Those using Uber to or from the airport will pay a surcharge of $5.50 on top of their fare, which will be passed on to the airport.
Those using Uber to or from the airport will pay a surcharge of $5.50 on top of their fare, which will be passed on to the airport.

Those using Uber to or from the airport will pay a surcharge of $5.50 on top of their fare, which will be passed on to the airport. This is the same as what taxis at the airport pay.

Christchurch will be the third airport to allow Uber pick ups and drop offs, following Wellington and Tauranga. Drop-offs are allowed at Auckland airport, but pick-ups are only allowed by Uber drivers who have a pre-chartered registration with the airport. 

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Stuff understands the deal is the result of several months of discussions between Uber and the airport.

Uber NZ country manager Amanda Gilmore said working with airports was a crucial part of Uber's goal to make transport as streamlined as possible. 

Christchurch Airport head aeronautical and commercial officer Justin Watson said signage and an in-app airport map would be available by then to help passengers meet their drivers.

Uber drivers have been dropping off passengers in the airport quick drop off area, but the app would not allow pick ups. Those wanting to be picked up had to walk off airport premises first, a difficult prospect for those with heavy baggage. 

New Zealand Taxi Federation Canterbury president Stan Gane said the new situation would 'level the playing field', as Uber drivers had been dropping off and picking up people from the airport for years without paying the $5.50 fee. 

'They've been dropping people in the car park for the last two years and not been paying their dues.'

In New Zealand, Uber is currently operating in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, Dunedin and Queenstown. 

The San Francisco based service has operated in New Zealand since 2014, initially ignoring commercial passenger licensing laws. They began to follow legislation following an October 2017 law change, which made it easier for drivers to get a passenger endorsement.