The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Airport and cabbies in talks
Aberdeen International Airport bosses are holding talks with taxi drivers following strikes over proposed changes at the Dyce hub.
Among the plans is scrapping the £200 per week barrier fee taxi drivers are charged to pick-up passengers and replacing it with a £7 departure charge.
Changes to work patterns are also being floated which would scrap the need for drivers to work shifts – something the airport says will “provide more flexibility”.
Yesterday, airport bosses said they are “committed to implementing changes to improve the service for passengers”.
Earlier this week, some drivers “withdrew from service” in protest at the proposed changes.
However it’s understood striking drivers are back at work, with talks now ongoing.
The changes could prove unpopular with passengers as, if enacted, the £7 departure charge may be passed on to customers if a driver decides to do so.
In January the drop-off fee for airport taxis rose by 150%, with passengers forced to pay an extra £3 per journey, up from £2 to £5.
At the time, the airport said these changes were brought in to bring the facility’s fleet “in line” with external taxi companies.
Aberdeen International Airport has been running its own taxi service since June 2018.
Prior to this, Comcab was the operator.
The airport has been criticised by travellers over the shortage of cabs and the length of time people must queue to get one.
Last year, airport authorities said they were exploring “a number of initiatives” to get more drivers.
Regarding the proposed changes, a spokesman for Aberdeen International Airport said: “The recruitment of taxi drivers remains a challenge not just for the airport but city-wide.
“In January, Aberdeen International Airport committed to implementing changes to improve the service for passengers.
“We will continue to work with drivers within our fleet to provide more flexibility.”
A spokeswoman for union Unite – which represents some of the airport’s taxi drivers – said: “Members made Unite aware of the situation, but as talks are ongoing we cannot comment further at this stage.”