Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has banned rideshare service Uber because the company hasn't agreed to pay the airport 10 percent of the revenue the company makes off airport rides.
So far, Lyft is the only Transportation Network Company, or TNC, to reach an agreement with the airport.
"It's not fun being an Uber driver at the airport right now," Uber driver Travis Villmont said. "I've been chased, I've been yelled at. I've had a guy jump in front of my car. They threatened to fine us $300."
According to airport spokesman Jim Halbrook, any TNCs like Uber that are not permitted to operate will face consequences.
“Any business out here that operates out here without an agreement with the airport is subject to an enforcement.,” Halbrook said. “The enforcement that is for are ground transportation providers. If you come out here to pick up customers and you are not authorized, you are not in agreement with the airport. You can be cited and fines can go up to $500.”
Austin Uber General Manager Chris Nakutis says the company is working with the City of Austin to be able to operate at the airport.
Whether they'll reach an agreement before South By Southwest is still unclear, but Nakutis says Uber drivers will nonetheless continue to pick up and drop off passengers at the airport.
"Tens of thousands of people are coming to South By, most of them are Uber users,” Nakutis said. “Obviously they're going to want to be able to use Uber at the airport and in Austin throughout the week."
ABIA officials said Uber declined on the agreement, the company can still change its mind.
"We're still the dominant player in the ride sharing space,” Nakutis he said. “We'll be at the airport. I'm not worried about that."
Lyft and the City of Austin Aviation Department reached the one-year pilot program agreement last week.