Dublin Airport taxis strike over parking space changes

Passengers at Dublin Airport faced traffic chaos yesterday after taxi drivers took strike action in a row over a reduced number of parking spaces for their vehicles.

Cab drivers withdrew their service at lunchtime in reaction to plans by the Dublin Airport Authority to remove spaces at taxi holding areas by Terminal 2, which opened in 2010.

Taxi drivers, who pay €440 per annum for a permit to operate from Dublin Airport, are claiming the DAA has removed up to 70 parking spaces.

Representatives of five taxi groups said the withdrawal of taxis from the airport was due to the DAA’s decision to close lanes used by taxis on Tuesday without any consultation.

Talks held between the parties yesterday afternoon failed to resolve the issue, with the result that air passengers were being directed to alternative modes of transport by DAA staff.

The DAA claims the spaces were part of overflow lanes which were introduced as a temporary measure and it had notified taxi representative bodies of the proposed changes a month ago.

However, the DAA maintains that parking spaces for taxis at the airport will remain exactly the same as 2010 levels, despite the fact that the number of airport taxi permit holders has fallen by 300 over the period.

A DAA spokesperson said the changes were being introduced for “commercial” reasons. It is understood the space is required for additional parking for DAA staff vehicles.

A taxi spokesperson said plate holders had refused the DAA’s offer to reinstate three of eight lanes which had been used by taxis.

While aware of the DAA’s plans, taxi drivers said they expected no action would have been taken prior to a regular meeting between the parties scheduled for tomorrow.

Last night, the DAA apologised to customers who had suffered significant inconvenience resulting from the drivers’ unilateral action. It called on taxi drivers to resume picking up passengers at the airport as soon as possible.