UBER has manoeuvred its way into one of the taxi industry’s most fiercely protected territories — the nation’s busy airports.

Brisbane Airport is set to become the third in the country, after Canberra and Sydney, to create a dedicated “Uber zone” for the rideshare service, which is now legal in Queensland.

Under the deal negotiated between Brisbane Airport Corporation and Uber, drivers will be able to use an area close to the domestic and international terminals to collect fares — and pay less than taxis for the privilege.

WHY UBER MEANS THE TIME FOR TAXIS IS OVER

Whereas taxis pay a $3.60 exit fee at the airport, the fee for Uber drivers will be $3 because their “zone” is not quite as close as the taxi rank.

The disparity has angered the Australian Taxi Industry Association which immediately called for the fee for cabs to be reduced.

“Brisbane Airport Corporation has a monopoly and they need to recognise that ride-hiring vehicles are a pre-booked service and being a bit further away is not a big deal,” said ATIA CEO Blair Davies.

“If they can only justify a $3 fee for ride-hiring services, chances are they should be reducing their fee for taxis.”

BAC Head of Parking and Transport Services Martin Ryan said it was about choice, efficiency and the safe facilitation of passengers on the ground.

“The new ridesharing regulations provide yet another transport option for the more than 22 million passengers who travel through Brisbane Airport every year,” Mr Ryan said.

Uber Queensland General Manager Sam Bool said the deal would see both parties work together in coming weeks to rollout signposted safe wait zones for rideshare customers and drivers.

“This is a win for local travellers who will be able to request a safe, affordable and reliable ride out of the airport with more certainty than ever before,” said Mr Bool.

“It will also make arriving in Brisbane much simpler for overseas travellers with Uber accounts as they will be able to login to the app and request a ride just the same as they would at home.”

Uber’s own research revealed customers from more than 60 countries had logged on to the app at Brisbane Airport to look for a ride in the last two years

Frequent flyer Virgilio Bay welcomed the news he would no longer have to try to spot an Uber car in the chaotic pick-up and drop-off area at Brisbane Airport.

“It’s quite hard especially on a Friday night when that place is very full and it’s hard to spot your Uber in the dark,” said Mr Bay.

“It will make life a lot easier to go to a dedicated area and meet your driver there.”

He said the price difference between Ubers and taxis from the airport, made the choice a no-brainer.

“It’s about $35 to the City in an Uber as opposed to $55 in a cab,” Mr Bay said.