Birmingham Airport wins taxi legal challenge
28.07.09
A bitter dispute between taxi drivers and Birmingham Airport over a terminated contract has ended after a judge ruled airport bosses had acted legally, the Post reports. Members of the Birmingham and Solihull Taxi Association (BASTA), who have served the airport for more than 50 years, claimed they had been unfairly treated after losing their contract to rival Passenger Transport Services on June 1.
An injunction granted last month had allowed BASTA drivers to return to work at the airport until the judicial review was settled at Birmingham High Court. However, Justice Wyn Williams ruled yesterday that airport bosses had acted legally in awarding PTS a new contract because of BASTA’s worsening financial situation.
Mr Justice Williams cited a contract made between BASTA and the airport in 2004 which stated that the agreement could be terminated if there was a ‘substantial deterioration in the financial circumstances of the licensee’. BASTA’s accounts showed that the group made a net loss of £289,952 in 2007 and was expected to continue making a loss into 2008. He said that the companies losses ‘could have very damaging effects on the provision of taxi services.’
An airport spokesman said: ‘We welcome the Court’s judgment concerning the judicial review. We have had a successful transition and the black cab operation continues to be coordinated by the new management company, PTS, which offers our black cab drivers and passengers the facilities and service they require.’
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