Uber aims to be wider travel app as it turns first profit

Dara Khosrowshahi discusses his ambitions to make Uber a go-to travel platform as the firm reported its first-ever global operating profit

In a call with investors, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi touted the news as a validation of the ridesharing and delivery company’s business model. He also spoke about the value added through Uber’s use of machine learning and opportunities in travel tour operating markets.

Key takeaways

• The milestone came as a record number of Uber trips were taken this spring - 25 million trips were made on the platform per day on average in the April to June period, up 22% year-on-year;
• Recovery in the travel business had opened an opportunity for Uber to become a bigger player - especially in the UK, where travel agencies still play an outsize role compared with other markets such as the US;
• Uber pointed to expansion of its Uber One subscription plan to new markets; the launch of video ads both via its app and through in-car displays; and the addition of new booking options through the app, including flights in the U.K..

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