Hundreds of furious licensed taxi drivers brought roads around Gatwick Airport to a grinding halt on Tuesday in a dramatic protest against Uber, accusing the ride-hailing giant of gaining an unfair advantage by allegedly bypassing local licensing regulations.
Airport Chaos as Drivers Demand Fair Play
The mass demonstration saw vehicles moving at walking pace along the airport's perimeter roads, creating significant traffic disruption during peak travel hours. Drivers sounded horns and displayed banners reading "Fair Play for Taxis" and "Uber Playing by Different Rules."
At the heart of the dispute is Uber's operating licence with Transport for London, which protesters claim allows the company to pick up passengers at Gatwick without holding the necessary local licence from Crawley Borough Council that traditional taxi operators must obtain.
'It's Destroying Our Livelihoods'
One long-serving Gatwick taxi driver, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters: "We're playing by one set of rules while Uber operates by another. They're not subject to the same stringent checks, fees and regulations that we face daily. It's systematically destroying our livelihoods."
Another driver added: "We've invested thousands in complying with local regulations, only to watch business disappear to a company that seems to be above the law. This protest is our last resort."
Regulatory Grey Area Sparks Fury
The controversy centres on what many describe as a legal loophole. While local taxi operators must navigate Crawley Borough Council's strict licensing process, Uber drivers can operate under their TfL licence despite working primarily at the West Sussex airport.
Industry experts suggest this regulatory gap has created an uneven playing field, with traditional taxi businesses facing rising costs and declining passenger numbers while Uber continues to expand its airport operations.
What Happens Next?
Protest organisers have vowed to continue their campaign until local authorities and government ministers address their concerns. They're calling for:
- Immediate review of Uber's operating permissions at Gatwick
- Equal application of licensing requirements for all operators
- Government intervention to close regulatory loopholes
- Protection for established local taxi businesses
Airport officials have acknowledged the disruption and are monitoring the situation closely, while local police worked to manage traffic flow during the demonstration.
The protest highlights growing tensions in the transport sector as traditional taxi services struggle to compete with app-based ride-hailing companies amid what many perceive as inconsistent regulatory enforcement.
