In many cities worldwide, Uber-like services have revolutionized local rides by using digital platforms to connect drivers and passengers. However, the sector also has its share of grey market participants—companies operating at the edge of the law without proper transport licensing. This is a common practice  in the airport transfer market, where certain platforms skirt regulation while benefiting from high demand and minimal oversight. Below, we examine how these services often function as unlicensed grey market operators, highlight key warning signs, and explore why controlling organisations find them difficult to regulate. 1. The anatomy of a grey market operator Traditional taxi or private-hire services must generally follow a licensing regime—covering background checks, vehicle standards, and regulated pricing. By contrast, grey market platforms: • Avoid or overlook local transport licences, claiming to be mere tech facilitators. • Operate beyond the reach of local enforcement agencies, often by not registering as transport service providers or operators. • Scale rapidly, leveraging cross-border presence and user popularity to fend off stricter controls. In the airport transfer niche, these companies take advantage of hectic travel environments, where passengers frequently book rides online—often unaware that the platforms may not have obtained the licenses required of legitimate … Continue reading Unlicensed “Uber-like” Platforms in Airport Transfers: the Rise of the Grey Market