Taxi bosses have asked Aberdeen City Council for permission to pass on any new increases in the controversial “drop-off” airport charge directly to customers.
Earlier this year, Aberdeen International Airport management doubled the fee from £1 to £2 for 15 minutes waiting time.
Under the current regulations, the fare structure for taxi drivers is set during an 18-month review and no further changes can be made in that period.
However, last night, bosses at the airport claimed they had no immediate plans to increase the fee.
A report to councillors on the licensing committee from the taxi consultation group stated: “The only way the airport charge could be added to the taxi fare was via the review process.
“A report was due to be considered by the licensing committee in August, which would then go out to consultation and advertisement, prior to a decision by the committee in December.”
Last night, Liberal Democrat councillor Martin Greig, a long-standing opponent of the drop-off fee, said he could understand the taxi drivers’ concerns.
He added: “I totally appreciate the position of the taxi drivers and sympathise with their predicament.
“The drop-off fee is generally opposed by the people of the city and, given the difficulty of this economic period, I can see why they are opposed to this substantial added burden.”
Licensing committee convener, Scott Carle, confirmed that members would now have to consider the cabbies’ suggestion at the committee’s meeting next Tuesday.
He said: “What we have is a situation where, if the drop-off fee does go up again, the drivers can’t recover that cost without a new approval.
“The minutes of the meeting will go to the committee and will then need to be considered.”
A spokesman for Aberdeen Airport said there were no plan