Roughly 1,500 taxi drivers staged a coordinated “slow-drive” protest on 27 November, crawling at 25 km/h around Dublin Airport, Clontarf and Phoenix Park before converging on Government Buildings. The action targeted Uber’s plan to introduce fixed-fare pricing, which drivers claim will erode earnings. The demonstration coincided with peak outbound traffic between 16:30 and 18:30, creating gridlock on the M50 and surrounding feeder roads.
DAA, the airport operator, urged passengers to allow extra travel time, while Gardaí implemented diversions. Bus Éireann and Transport for Ireland issued service alerts for all routes to and from the capital, and social-media footage showed some travellers abandoning taxis to reach the Aircoach express or Luas Red Line in time for flights.
![Taxi ‘Slow-Drive’ Protest Chokes Access to Dublin Airport]()
For mobility managers the immediate issue was missed check-ins and knock-on hotel costs. Some corporate travel policies that mandate public transport had to be relaxed on the spot, with firms authorising private-hire minibuses to skirt the protest route.
Taxi Drivers Ireland spokesperson Derek O’Keeffe called on DAA to ban Uber from airport ranks. Uber argues that upfront fares enhance consumer confidence but has offered to open talks. With the Christmas travel surge looming, driver groups warn that further demonstrations are possible if negotiations fail.
Companies with frequent flyers are advised to integrate live traffic feeds into pre-trip approval systems, pre-book parking where possible, and remind staff of alternate modes such as the 24-hour Dublin Express coach.
DAA, the airport operator, urged passengers to allow extra travel time, while Gardaí implemented diversions. Bus Éireann and Transport for Ireland issued service alerts for all routes to and from the capital, and social-media footage showed some travellers abandoning taxis to reach the Aircoach express or Luas Red Line in time for flights.
For mobility managers the immediate issue was missed check-ins and knock-on hotel costs. Some corporate travel policies that mandate public transport had to be relaxed on the spot, with firms authorising private-hire minibuses to skirt the protest route.
Taxi Drivers Ireland spokesperson Derek O’Keeffe called on DAA to ban Uber from airport ranks. Uber argues that upfront fares enhance consumer confidence but has offered to open talks. With the Christmas travel surge looming, driver groups warn that further demonstrations are possible if negotiations fail.
Companies with frequent flyers are advised to integrate live traffic feeds into pre-trip approval systems, pre-book parking where possible, and remind staff of alternate modes such as the 24-hour Dublin Express coach.
