Travelers flying in and out of Bellingham International Airport will have a new transportation option starting June 15, 2026: Uber is officially back. The Port of Bellingham, which operates BLI, announced on June 8 that Uber will resume rideshare service at the airport and at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal after a five-year absence. The return ends one of the more unusual standoffs in local transportation history.
Uber had withdrawn from both facilities in May 2021 following a dispute with the Port over per-trip fees. The company claimed at the time that the Port was charging rates up to 400% higher than those at comparable airports across the United States. The Port of Bellingham maintained that its $3.50 per-trip fee for Transportation Network Companies was consistent with other airports in the region. Neither side moved for more than four years.
The resolution came after BLI conducted a market analysis of similarly sized airports. Port spokesperson Mike Hogan confirmed that the per-trip fee for rideshare companies has been reduced from $3.50 to $3.00 following that review. That adjustment, modest as it sounds, was apparently enough to bring Uber back to the table. The new agreement takes effect June 15.
"Bringing Uber back to our airport and cruise terminal after more than four years is an important step forward for both travelers and our community," said Tiffany DeSimone, Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham. "Reliable, accessible transportation is essential to a positive travel experience, and this is one more way we are making BLI a better option for regional travelers."
Bellingham International Airport serves as a regional hub for Whatcom County and parts of Skagit County and British Columbia. The airport's proximity to the Canadian border means a meaningful share of its passenger traffic comes from Vancouver-area travelers crossing to use American carriers or lower-cost routes. Reliable ground transportation has long been a concern for those travelers, many of whom have relied on taxis, shuttle services, or personal pickups since Uber's departure in 2021.
The Bellingham Cruise Terminal, which handles Alaska cruise sailings during the summer season, was similarly without Uber service since 2021. Cruise season at the terminal typically runs from late April through September, meaning the June 15 restart arrives in the middle of active operations. Passengers arriving on cruise ships or heading onward to Seattle will now have an on-demand rideshare option for the first time in years.
Whether Lyft will follow Uber's return is not yet known. Travelers can check the BLI airport transportation page for an updated list of ground transportation providers once service goes live. For more on Bellingham waterfront activity this summer, full details on the seasonal events calendar are available through the Port's website.
For context on other Bellingham summer transportation and recreation developments, Bellingham's spray parks also open June 15, making it a notable date for residents across the city.
The restored Uber service begins Monday, June 15. Riders can request pickups directly from the BLI arrivals area and from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal using the standard Uber app. No special configuration is required.
