Malaga Airport lead to taxi split

TAXI drivers in Malaga province are divided over who has the right to pick up passengers coming to the city’s airport.

While Malaga city drivers claim it has traditionally been an area exclusively reserved for them, drivers from other towns defend their rights given by law.

Marbella’s City Hall was the latest one to support its local taxi drivers, asking the Central Government’s Deputy Office in Malaga to guarantee their safety when working at the Airport, Malaga Port and the Maria Zambrano railway station.

“It is absolutely unthinkable that our taxi drivers cannot pick-up or leave passengers. Tourism is crucial for this city,” Mayor Angeles Muñoz said.

Other town halls in the province, including Torrox and Nerja in the Axarquia area, have also supported their local drivers’ rights, reporting the situation to higher authorities.  

Malaga city taxi drivers made a demonstration in December protesting against an  Andalucian law which allows any taxi cab in Malaga province – or even from other Andalucian provinces – that has been previously booked by a client to operate in the Airport and Port.

Malaga city cabs are gathered under the umbrella of associations Aumat and Taxi Union, counting more than 2,400 members. “Out of the 180 taxis serving the Airport every day, 120 are unnecessary,” Aumat President Jose Antonio Mate said.

Taxi drivers from other Andalucian cities with airports, such as Sevilla and Jerez (Cadiz), backed their Malaga counterparts.