Federal Authorities Announce Uber Is Not Permitted To Operate At Cancun Airport

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In a powerful and decisive move to end widespread traveler confusion, Mexico’s federal government has issued a sharp clarification: ride-sharing apps like Uber are not authorized to provide passenger transportation services at any of the nation’s federal airports, including Cancun International (CUN).

The official statement was released by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), to counter a wave of misleading reports and traveler confusion over a recent court ruling.

For travelers who saw headlines celebrating an “Uber victory,” this new announcement is the on-the-ground reality check you need. Here at The Cancun Sun, we’re breaking down what this means, why it’s happening, and why your arrival plan for your upcoming vacation should not change.

The Ruling vs. The Reality: What Really Happened?

The confusion began after a federal judge granted Uber an injunction. This was immediately celebrated by ride-sharing platforms as a landmark “win” that would allow them to operate “freely.”

However, the federal government’s new press release clarifies what this ruling actually means, and it’s not what most travelers think.

The SICT explains that the court’s decision “does not imply authorization for the provision of these services.” The ruling was highly specific: it only ordered the National Guard to stop conducting “arbitrary and discriminatory” operations against Uber drivers. It did not grant Uber a legal right to operate in a zone where they lack federal authorization and where existing contracts are in place.

Why You Still Shouldn’t Try to Get an Uber at the Curb

For travelers arriving in Cancun, this legal battle is mostly noise. The real challenge at the airport has never just been the National Guard; it’s the powerful, long-standing taxi union.

Cancun’s airport (ASUR) has exclusive and binding contracts with the official taxi unions, granting them the sole right to pick up passengers at the arrivals curb. The new court ruling does nothing to dissolve these contracts or the union’s powerful influence.

For the safety and efficiency of your trip, we strongly advise all travelers against walking out of the terminal and attempting to call an Uber.

• It’s Stressful: You will still be forced to play the “cat-and-mouse” game. Drivers will not pick you up at the curb. They will ask you to drag your luggage across the hot parking lot, wait by the highway, or find a “secret” pickup point to avoid a direct confrontation with the taxi union.
• It’s a Potential Safety Concern: Tensions between the ride-sharing apps and the local taxi unions are extremely high. This new ruling, and the confusion it has caused, is only likely to make the situation more volatile. Trying to hop in an Uber in the middle of the taxi-controlled zone is a bad idea that can lead to an uncomfortable confrontation, putting both you and your driver at risk.
• It’s Inefficient: This is a hot, stressful, and chaotic way to start your vacation, all to save a few dollars.

The Savvy Traveler’s Playbook: “Business as Usual”

So, what should you do? For now, the answer remains the same as it has been for years: pre-booking your ride is the only guaranteed, stress-free way to leave the airport.

While this federal court decision is a small step toward the future—and a necessary one with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon—it has not created a safe or efficient system for travelers today. The SICT’s official statement confirms that for now, travelers should continue to use the “authorized taxi services at airports, tourist services, and authorized buses.”

The Cancun Sun will be the very first to let our readers know when a real, practical change happens, such as the establishment of a dedicated, official rideshare zone.

But for now, and for your upcoming high-season trip, it is business as usual. The savviest, safest, and simplest move is still to have a pre-booked private shuttle waiting for you.

Safe Travels!