Getting to and from LAX is about to get pricier for anyone who relies on Uber or Lyft. The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved a significant fee increase for rideshare companies on Tuesday, a move that could directly impact what travelers pay for their rides.
The new fees will jump from $4 to as much as $12 per pickup at the terminal area, representing a 140% increase that rideshare companies warn will likely be passed on to passengers. The change affects not just Uber and Lyft, but also taxis and limousine services operating at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
Airport officials say the fee hike won’t take effect until the new Skylink automated people mover opens this summer. They’re positioning the increase as part of a broader strategy to reduce congestion and encourage travelers to use alternative transportation options, though drivers and passengers are already expressing concerns about who will ultimately foot the bill.
Details of the LAX Rideshare Fee Increase
The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners unanimously approved a substantial increase to rideshare access fees that will affect companies like Uber and Lyft operating at Los Angeles International Airport. The new fee structure triples the current charges and introduces different rates depending on where passengers are picked up or dropped off.
What the New Fee Structure Means for Uber and Lyft
Rideshare companies currently pay a $4 fee for picking up passengers at LAX, with no charge for drop-offs. Under the new fee structure approved by Los Angeles World Airports, the costs will jump significantly depending on the location.
The approved fee structure includes:
- $12 per trip for pickups or drop-offs at the Central Terminal Area
- $6 per trip for pickups or drop-offs at the new Skylink station
Both Uber and Lyft have indicated they’ll likely pass these costs directly to passengers. “A 140% fee hike will directly impact riders and reduce demand for drivers who rely on airport trips,” said Danielle Lam, Uber’s head of local California policy for the state.
A Lyft spokesperson noted that LAX will become the nation’s most expensive airport for rideshare travelers even at the new rates. Airport officials emphasized the fees are charged to companies, not passengers, though riders and drivers say they expect to absorb the costs through higher fares or lower pay.
When the Fee Increase Will Take Effect
The LAX rideshare fee increase won’t take effect immediately. Los Angeles World Airports tied the implementation to the opening of Skylink, the airport’s automated people mover train system that has faced multiple delays.
Skylink was originally scheduled to open in 2023 but experienced construction setbacks. Airport officials now expect the train to begin operating early this summer, though no specific date has been announced.
The new fees are designed to work in conjunction with Skylink, which will provide an alternative pickup and drop-off location away from the congested terminal area. The train is expected to move approximately 85 million passengers annually and operate 24 hours a day, with trips across airport terminals taking no more than nine minutes.
How the Fee Compares to Other Major Airports
While LAX currently charges $4 for rideshare pickups, the LAX fee increase represents one of the steepest jumps among major U.S. airports. The $12 terminal area fee would make LAX the most expensive airport in the country for rideshare access.
Airport officials defended the increase by noting LAX hadn’t raised its fees since Uber and Lyft began operating there in 2015. The fees are expected to generate approximately $100 million in the first year after Skylink opens.
Los Angeles World Airports officials said the revenue will support the airport’s multi-billion dollar modernization efforts ahead of major events including the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl, and 2028 Olympics. With up to 100,000 cars passing through LAX daily, airport executives argue the fee structure aims to reduce vehicle congestion and encourage use of alternative transportation options like Skylink.
Impacts on Travelers, Drivers, and Airport Operations
The LAX board approves fee hike will affect passengers through potentially higher ride costs and impact drivers who may see reduced earnings per trip. Airport officials aim to cut congestion and encourage use of the new Skylink automated people mover system.
Effects on Passengers and Ride Costs
Uber has already indicated that passengers will feel the impact of the 140% fee hike directly in their ride costs. Danielle Lam, head of local California policy for Uber, stated that the increase will reduce demand for drivers who rely on airport trips.
Lyft warned that the new rates would make LAX the most expensive airport in the nation for rideshare travelers. Currently, ride-hailing companies pay $4 to pick up passengers at LAX-it, the designated pickup area for app-based services and taxis. Under the new structure, access fees will jump to $12 for terminal area pickups and $6 for Skylink area pickups.
Brandon Bailey, a Los Angeles resident, argued against the increase at Tuesday’s meeting, calling it “a tax on workers trying to get home.” While Commissioner Vanessa Aramayo emphasized that the fees are assessed to companies rather than directly to passengers, travelers widely expect rideshare companies to pass these costs along.
Potential Impact on Driver Earnings
Rideshare drivers expressed concern that they would absorb much of the cost through reduced pay per trip. Terrence Harden, who drives for ride-hailing services, told commissioners that drivers typically take the financial hit. “It’s already tough enough in this airport every day,” he said during the meeting.
LAWA Chief Executive John Ackerman acknowledged that the decision on who pays the increased fees ultimately rests with the companies themselves. “We can’t control what a private company does to punish consumers, punish drivers,” he explained.
Neither Uber nor Lyft provided details on whether they would pass the costs to passengers, drivers, or absorb them as operating expenses. Commissioner Aramayo requested a report six months after implementation to track whether the fees impact drivers and passengers financially.
Goals for Reducing Congestion and Improving LAX
Airport officials justified the fee increase as necessary to manage LAX congestion and fund infrastructure improvements. Up to 100,000 cars pass through LAX daily, creating unsustainable traffic conditions.
David Reich, deputy executive director for mobility strategy for Los Angeles World Airports, said the current vehicle volume is no longer manageable. “We’re going to remove a lot of vehicles,” he stated at the meeting.
The fees are expected to generate as much as $100 million in LAX revenue during the first year after implementation. Airport officials noted that LAX hasn’t increased its fees since Uber and Lyft began operating there in 2015, despite multi-billion dollar investments in terminals and access facilities.
The timing aligns with preparations for major events including the World Cup this summer, the 2027 Super Bowl, and the 2028 Olympics.
Role of the SkyLink Automated People Mover
The fee increase won’t take effect until the Skylink automated people mover opens to the public this summer. The train system was originally scheduled to launch in 2023 but faced delays due to disputes between the airport and contractor LAX Integrated Express Solutions.
The Skylink system will provide an alternative access point away from the main terminal area, with rides across airport terminals taking no more than nine minutes. It will operate 24 hours a day and is projected to move approximately 85 million passengers annually.
Reich suggested the Skylink could actually benefit rideshare drivers by reducing time spent in traffic and potentially allowing them to complete more airport trips. Passengers using the Skylink area for pickups would pay lower fees—$6 instead of $12—creating a financial incentive to use the new transit option.
LAWA officials emphasized that continuous growth in vehicle traffic into the airport is simply not viable, making alternatives like the Skylink system critical for future operations.
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