Airport's reassurance over taxis

The taxi association (BASTA) said it had provided a good service

An airport is stressing passengers will not be left without a taxi service when a licence for the operation changes.

Birmingham International Airport claimed Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association (BASTA) has not met "the service standards" it expects.

It added Passenger Transport Solutions (PTS) will take over from 1 June.

BASTA claimed the issue was over the association's financial situation and claimed drivers would not give money to another management service.

The airport said there had been "numerous attempts" to work with BASTA to "rectify various issues surrounding its management of the black cab operation".

'In-house problem'

But it said it has been unable to meet the service standards the airport expects for "passengers and indeed the hackney carriage drivers".

The airport added it was also concerned with the "financial stability" of the association and had to make changes to ensure "any potential problems didn't impact" on its ability to provide a taxi operation.

BASTA chairman Irfaan Ahmed said: "If the airport had said categorically that we're not providing a good service, I could understand, but it's never happened.

"We have provided a taxi service for Birmingham airport for many years.

"They terminated our contract because of the financial situation.

"It's common knowledge that all around the world at the moment the economic situation is quite bad and so it is with us, but it's our in-house problem.

"BASTA belongs to the drivers and there is no way they're going to part with their money to another management service."

The airport said the transfer will enable all hackney carriage drivers who operate at the airport to continue to do so.

A spokesperson said: "We are aware that some taxi drivers have signed up with PTS already to operate at the airport."

The airport said PTS has "a wealth of experience in the taxi trade within an airport environment".