Mumbai Mirror reported on 3 November 2026 that the Ola and Rapido pickup counters, branding and facilities at Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport were removed from parking level 4 on 1 November, that passengers booking those cabs are now directed to parking level 5, and that Uber has shifted from level 4 to P6 VIP. On the drivers' account, the new layout brings extra parking and coordination charges, and neither the platforms nor the airport explained the change. A spokesperson for Mumbai International Airport had not answered questions by the time the report went to press.
What it costs the driver
Level 5 also holds private vehicles, which leaves passengers struggling to find the pickup points and drivers struggling to meet them. The charges drivers describe come to around 250 to 270 rupees a vehicle, with further parking charges in some cases.
Mangesh G, a taxi driver, told Mumbai Mirror that the arrangements had changed several times. Ola and Uber first worked from separate parts of parking level 7, Ola on the east side and Uber on the west. Passengers went up one floor and could compare fares before choosing a service. The airport later opened pickup facilities at level 4, which changed the arrangements for app-based cabs and for black-and-yellow kaali-peeli taxis. The Rapido parking point had also been unavailable since 30 October.
"After paying the parking and coordination charges, very little is left for the drivers. In some cases, a driver is left with only around Rs 70 after deducting these expenses."
The 250 to 270 rupees, and the figure of about 70 rupees, are the drivers' figures, not an official airport charge. They fear airport trips may no longer pay if the extra charges continue.
Ola and the union
An Ola source told Mumbai Mirror: "We were not given any proper reason for the termination. We were given a deadline until November 1 and instructed to discontinue our operations."
Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha and the Indian Gig Workers Forum, warned that restricting Ola and Rapido while Uber keeps operating could create a monopoly at the airport.
"We urge the authorities to facilitate Bharat Taxi's operations at the airport, providing an alternative platform for drivers who do not have Uber IDs while ensuring healthy competition, fair fares and preventing passengers from being charged exorbitant prices."