TAXI drivers are on strike at Valencia airport, leaving numerous arriving passengers frustrated and calling for 'at least minimum services'.
Most of the 300 cabbies who operate from the terminal at Manises have downed tools until Saturday this week inclusive in a protest backed by three unions.
They are picketing over the regional government's decision to impose a flat rate for journeys from the airport into the city of 20 euros, or 23 euros for the port and beach area.
Drivers say this is 'unfair' on them, because it does not take into account late-night or early-hours runs, Sundays or bank holidays.
They also say it is unfair on many passengers whose fee, according to the taxi mileage meter, would otherwise be only a fraction of the 20-euro minimum.
The most 'equitable' measure would be to impose a minimum tariff of 'about 18 euros' and then from 2.7 kilometres away from the airport onwards, for it to increase in line with the actual destination and the traffic conditions, say drivers.
Cabbies have been particularly hard-hit by the financial crisis, tax hikes and funding cuts.
Last year alone, they automatically lost three per cent of their takings because of IVA having gone up in September 2012, and another 10 per cent when 'Zone B' was scrapped.
And now, they are likely to lose an average of two euros per journey with the flat rate.
They have called for an 'urgent' meeting with the regional ministry of transport to negotiate and say they will continue to strike until a solution is reached.
Valencia airport sees around 4.5 million passengers a year, or about 12,300 a day and, although not all of them use the taxi service, those who live in or near the city or who are visiting it on holiday often do so for convenience, especially if they are weighed down with suitcases.
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