Airport pick-up

Can anyone shed any light on the following. When we come out to our apartment, we generally hire a car from the airport.  However if friends and family come to visit us, we go to pick them up ( makes sense). Now we are hearing that you can be fined upto 1000 euros for doing this as part of the Spanish protecting the taxi drivers.

Does anyone know what is goig on? 

Hi both

Bearing in mind I have no idea what area you're talking about you could check out this .. do a search, plenty there lately.

It is only if you are charging, and they would have to prove that.

No, you have to prove you are NOT charging.

Hi

Yes as Cazzy says only if you are charging. If you do use any one that  are not registerd as a taxi then pay them before you get to the airport. I know that Alicante airport was being watched last year and some number plates were being taken.

I sure there was a report on this in the Costa Blanca newspaper last year.

I also hire cars when I go out to Spain and normally return to the airport to pick up my husband later in the holiday.  I too wondered if I would be stopped but as it's a hire car and the Guardia now how the facility to check the number plates on-line then I believe it will be ok.  Why would someone hire a car to do airport runs.

They are after the 7 seater van man rather that the occasional visitor picking up family and friends. 

I did read a report in one of the English papers about an elderly lady who had dropped off a neighbour/relative and returned two days later to pick up her son.  She was stopped but as they had matching surnames she wasn't fined.  This was over 3 years ago so this is not the first time this has happened.

Hi

If you go to www.roundtownnews.co.uk you can read about the uproar around airport pick-ups.

I have been to the airport 5 times in the last 4 weeks to collect and drop of family, so far nothing!

Why don't they try reducing the taxi fees, this might also create more business for the taxis!

It is not fait to have to budget around €150 just to get from the airport to the apartment and back!

And before anyone goes there, i know bus and train are cheaper but not always convenient with children and so on.

Joan

Regarding taxis I find the problem inconsistant fares charges from San Javier to Balsicas can be anything from 18-25 euros, for a 10min. drive. Also another problem is that when you give the address they rely on you directing them to the address. So chance as anybody who as not visited before got. I think that if they want charge premium rates that they should also have a Knowledge Test or is that to much to ask. 

Wayne & Nicola, will this in costa news  put your mind at rest ?

Thanks for that everyone. I think we will take the risk.

Maybe "Eye on Spain" to set up a campaign about the extortionate taxi fares at Alicante.