Uber and Wingz can now pick up passengers at John Wayne Airport

Uber and Wingz have begun passenger pickups at John Wayne Airport (SNA) this week. The airport has become one of the first in Southern California to allow ride-share companies to operate alongside taxicabs, shuttle buses and other services.

The airport announced Monday that the companies are the first two to receive specially crafted ground transportation permits approved by the Orange County Board of Supervisors.

Ride-share companies previously were allowed to drop off passengers at John Wayne but not to accommodate pickup requests.

Now other companies may soon follow suit.

Airport spokeswoman Jenny Wedge says via email that the airport reached out to eight companies, including Lyft, to apply for permits.

The popularity of ride services hailed through a smartphone app has prompted airports to rethink their rules and regulations.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), however, hasn’t yet allowed companies such as Uber and Lyft to pick up passengers at the airport.