From Luton to Dubai: How Wajid Hussain Built a Global Airport Transfer Brand

We spoke with Wajid Hussain, Founder of 1ST Airport Taxis LTD, about his entrepreneurial journey, the company’s rapid growth, and how it stands apart in a crowded travel and mobility market.

What Inspired You To Start 1ST Airport Taxis?

I noticed that many travellers, especially families and business clients, were frustrated with unreliable pickups, hidden charges, and last-minute cancellations. There was a gap in the market for a professional, airport-focused travel solution. I wanted to create a brand that people could trust-something clean, efficient, and stress-free.

The goal was to make airport transfers reliable and transparent, with services like fixed pricing, free baby seats, and meet-and-greet included as standard.

How Did You Scale From One Airport To Multiple Cities And Now Internationally?

We started with a single vehicle in Luton, focused entirely on perfecting the experience for local airport travellers. As word spread and demand grew, we expanded into major hubs like Heathrow, Gatwick, and eventually internationally, including Dubai. Our growth has been organic, built on customer referrals and a reputation for service.

Dubai for instance, was added because our UK clients wanted the same level of service abroad. That led us to explore international opportunities, always with a strong emphasis on quality control and consistency.

What Makes Your Company Different From Uber Or Local Cabs?

We are not part of the app-based chaos. 1ST Airport Taxis is an airport transfer specialist, not a generic cab service. Our drivers are vetted, trained, and understand the nuances of airport travel. We offer features that most ride-share services don’t-like flight tracking, real-time adjustments, and professional customer support. Customers also know what vehicle they’re getting, who’s picking them up, and when. It’s all about eliminating uncertainty and replacing it with trust and service. We also support families and long-distance travellers with larger vehicles and inclusive extras like baby seats.

What Role Does Technology Play In Your Business?

A huge one. We developed our own in-house technology platform to manage everything-automated flight monitoring, dispatching, customer updates, and more. We wanted full control over the user experience, which is why we built the system ourselves.

It integrates with our mobile app and supports everything from live tracking to customer support messaging. Technology is the backbone of the business, but it’s used to enhance-not replace-the human touch. That’s what sets us apart. We also use analytics to monitor customer feedback and performance data, allowing us to continuously improve the system and refine every part of the service journey. As more users embrace remote booking and on-the-go travel coordination, our technology helps ensure we’re always one step ahead of expectations.

What’s Next For The Company?

We’re continuing our expansion into international markets and planning to add services that cater to executive and leisure travellers. We’re also investing heavily in our app and mobile experience to make booking and managing travel even smoother.

Sustainability is a priority too-we’ve started integrating electric vehicles into our fleet and are working on becoming fully carbon-neutral. Ultimately, we want to redefine what people expect from airport transfers-making it premium, professional, and reliable no matter where they are in the world.