Turkey: Appeals court lifts ban on access to Uber app

ANKARA

A Turkish appeals court overturned a ban on access to Uber's mobile application and website in a move that could see the company resume its operations in the country.

It ruled that a previous court order last year for the ride-hailing firm to cease activities in Turkey had been unjustified, according to a statement from Uber Turkey on Thursday.

"We believe and are committed to Turkey," the Uber Global spokesperson said, adding that the company would start offering its services to all passengers and yellow taxi drivers in Istanbul.

In October 2019, an Istanbul court had ordered Uber to halt operations in Turkey and blocked access to its applications on charges of unfair competition.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had also opposed the company's presence in Turkey, likening its vehicles to pirate cabs.