John Wayne Airport approves permits for ridesharing companies Uber and Wingz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 30, 2015
Contact: Jenny Wedge, (949) 252-5182, jwedge@ocair.com

JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT APPROVES PERMITS FOR RIDESHARING COMPANIES UBER AND WINGZ TO BEGIN OPERATING AT THE AIRPORT

SANTA ANA, Calif. – John Wayne Airport (JWA) today issued permits for two ridesharing companies to begin providing passenger pickups at the Airport. Uber and Wingz were the first two Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) to submit the documentation required to receive JWA’s new TNC Ground Transportation Permit. Wingz intends to begin serving passengers at JWA today, March 30, and Uber plans to begin service Tuesday, March 31.

John Wayne Airport has worked with TNCs for several months to create a permit that ensures they comply with state and local requirements, and provide a safe, secure and efficient service to airport customers. Earlier this month, the Orange County Board of Supervisors approved a ground transportation permit for TNCs that paved the way for ridesharing services to begin.

“This has been a collaborative effort between the Airport and the TNCs to better understand this new business model that has become so popular with travelers,” said Acting Airport Director Lawrence G. Serafini. “The new permit is structured to ensure these companies can operate on a fair and equitable footing with JWA’s other ground transportation service providers, and to ensure the safety and security of our passengers.”

The California Public Utilities Commission has issued licenses to eight TNC companies: Executive Ride LLC, HopSkipDrive, Lyft, Ridelabs LLC, Shuddle, Sidecar, Uber and Wingz. JWA has notified each of these firms of the availability of the Airport’s new TNC Ground Transportation Permit.

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John Wayne Airport (SNA) is owned by the County of Orange and is operated as a self-supporting enterprise that receives no general fund tax revenue. The Airport serves more than nine million passengers annually and reaches more than 20 nonstop destinations in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More information can be found at www.ocair.com. Like us on facebook.com/johnwayneairport, or follow us on Twitter @johnwayneair and Instagram @johnwayneair.