Taxi company wins Calgary airport contract

A taxi company has won the sole right to cover airport pickups in Calgary.

The Calgary Airport Authority's signed a six-year contract Wednesday with Associated Cab, who'll cover the airport with no competition.

Other taxi companies will still be able to use the airport to pick up pre-arranged fares but not allowed to pick up people walking out of the terminal looking for a ride, said Jody Moseley, director of corporate communications and marketing for the authority.

"Associated was selected because they have the appropriate amount of cabs to serve the airport," Moseley said.

"The only difference you might see [at the airport] is that there will be a consistent car that picks you up at the curb every time that you arrive."

Taxi drivers from other companies staged a protest Wednesday against Associated, and the authority's decision.

Many told CBC News that being pushed out of the airport pickup area is enough to put them out of work.

Moseley, however, said there's plenty of the city left to go around for other drivers.

"Ten per cent of the business in the entire City of Calgary is really located here at the airport, that leaves a significant amount of business for taxi drivers  throughout the city to maintain and even grow their business."