MANCHESTER AIRPORT
Black cab drivers have threatened a second wildcat strike at Manchester Airport if their dispute over a rival private hire firm isn’t resolved.
Nearly 200 Hackney drivers drove around the airport in convoy for an hour on Monday, refusing to take passengers and causing disruption.
Manchester Airport bosses have now pledged to meet with the Airport Taxi Association after its chairman Adam Ali alleged the airport has ‘anti-competitive practices’ in relation to Arrow private hire.
In 2011, Manchester Airports Group handed a five-year contract to Leeds-based Arrow, later extended to October 2018.
At the time, Manchester black cab drivers threatened legal action over claims that preferential treatment to Arrow was restricting rival firms.
The dispute has now reared its head again.
Mr Ali said: “It feels like the airport is bending over backwards for Arrow Taxis and putting us on a backburner.
“If the airport will not help with this we will strike again - and we guarantee it will be a lot worse next time.”
He said the airport’s website directs passengers to Arrow - as do the booking kiosks at the terminals.
Also among their gripes is the fact passengers get a ‘pop-up’ phone advert for Arrow when they leave the terminals.
Adam Ali, chairman of the Airport Taxi Association, told the M.E.N: “We are losing profits and if it continues we are prepared to take this to the Trading Standards Commission.
“Their cabin is about 50 yards from our taxi rank and it is unfair competition.
“Our strike had a big effect, the airport came to a standstill for an hour - we blocked off terminals and even the slip road into the airport.
“We have been trying for two years to talk to Manchester Airport about this but nothing has been done. This was our final step.
“They should not be calling themselves taxis - that is misleading the customer.
A Manchester Airport spokesman said: “An unofficial demonstration on behalf of the Hackney Cab Drivers took place, which led to minor disruption on site.
“We plan to meet with all the parties involved to discuss the reason for this action.”
The M.E.N contacted Arrow Taxis in both Manchester and Leeds but they declined to comment.
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