The UK Government’s official Find a Tender service has confirmed that Uber London Ltd has been awarded the Manchester Airport Digital Private Hire Operation contract, valued at £84.8 million (ex VAT). The published award notice, states that the concession will run from 12 January 2026 to 31 March 2030, with the option for Manchester Airports Group (MAG) to extend to 2032.
From: dmnews.co.uk
According to the official documentation, MAG said that the private hire experience “starts and ends a passenger’s journey,” and stressed the importance of selecting a partner with strong compliance, industry experience and customer service standards.
The same notice also confirms that Nova Car Hire Ltd (DG Cars) has been awarded the East Midlands Airport Traditional Desk Operation, worth £18.6 million (ex VAT).
This is one of the largest airport private hire contracts awarded in recent years — and it places Uber at the heart of Manchester Airport’s digital booking infrastructure.
A few key takeaways for the industry:Uber will now control the main digital booking channel for Manchester Airport. That means most customers using pre-booked airport transfers will now be routing through the Uber app rather than traditional airport desk operators.
For drivers, this could reshape airport-based private hire work. Expect changes in holding areas, pickup arrangements, and airport-specific fees as the new contract structure takes effect.
Manchester Airport has clearly opted for a tech-led private hire strategy, while East Midlands Airport continues with a traditional desk model operated by DG Cars — showing that different airports are now splitting between digital and physical booking models.
Smaller local PHV operators may feel increasing pressure unless they offer niche services such as executive travel, fixed-price services or pre-booked meet-and-greets.
Overall, this contract marks a major shift in how airport private hire services will function over the next decade — and Uber’s presence inside Manchester Airport will be more formal, structured and commercially embedded than ever before.
From: dmnews.co.uk
According to the official documentation, MAG said that the private hire experience “starts and ends a passenger’s journey,” and stressed the importance of selecting a partner with strong compliance, industry experience and customer service standards.
The same notice also confirms that Nova Car Hire Ltd (DG Cars) has been awarded the East Midlands Airport Traditional Desk Operation, worth £18.6 million (ex VAT).
This is one of the largest airport private hire contracts awarded in recent years — and it places Uber at the heart of Manchester Airport’s digital booking infrastructure.
A few key takeaways for the industry:Uber will now control the main digital booking channel for Manchester Airport. That means most customers using pre-booked airport transfers will now be routing through the Uber app rather than traditional airport desk operators.
For drivers, this could reshape airport-based private hire work. Expect changes in holding areas, pickup arrangements, and airport-specific fees as the new contract structure takes effect.
Manchester Airport has clearly opted for a tech-led private hire strategy, while East Midlands Airport continues with a traditional desk model operated by DG Cars — showing that different airports are now splitting between digital and physical booking models.
Smaller local PHV operators may feel increasing pressure unless they offer niche services such as executive travel, fixed-price services or pre-booked meet-and-greets.
Overall, this contract marks a major shift in how airport private hire services will function over the next decade — and Uber’s presence inside Manchester Airport will be more formal, structured and commercially embedded than ever before.