Taxi firm loses its spot at the airport

A taxi company has lost the right to pick up passengers at Auckland airport after a long-running dispute with airport management.

Cab companies must tender for the right to pick up airport passengers but Airport Auckland Quality Cabs had its licence revoked last month.

Airport spokesman Richard Llewellyn blamed a "substantial and longstanding non-payment" and said management had tried to resolve the matter.

Quality Cabs director Robert Van Heiningen said the non-payment related to a contractual dispute. He said he couldn't discuss details because the airport contract prohibited talking to media.

"All I can say is we've had a longstanding dispute with the airport ... we have paid for something we're not getting and that's what the dispute is about."

He expected to reach a resolution within weeks.

Van Heiningen, who is also a director of several other taxi companies, including Alert Taxis and Regency Cabs, said Quality Cabs had about 100 drivers.

Eight operators, including Quality Cabs, were licensed at the last tender round in 2008.

Llewellyn said the system allowed airport management to ensure a high standard of service.

Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish said he was aware of the dispute and other concerns about the airport licensing system.

A new park-and-ride service introduced by the airport owners had had a "dramatic impact on the use of taxis".

"That has upset a lot of taxi companies."