Minister Fernandez Moves to Protect Licensed Taxi Operators as Government Tightens Airport Enforcement

Minister responsible for Aviation Charles Fernandez has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting licensed taxi operators at V.C. Bird International Airport, as tensions continue over illegal commercial pickups at the country’s main gateway.

“I support all the Taxi Association’s concerns with illegal operators doing pickups,” Fernandez tells Antigua.news, emphasizing that the issue is being actively addressed. “We continue to work with the relevant authorities to try to mitigate against this.”

The Minister pointed to concrete steps already taken, including the installation of an informational video on the airport’s baggage carousel system.

The video clearly outlines for arriving passengers which taxi operators are authorized, helping reduce confusion and protect visitors from unauthorized drivers.

Fernandez, who is also the country’s tourism minister, acknowledged that illegal taxi operations are a challenge faced at many international ports of entry, but stressed that Antigua and Barbuda is not turning a blind eye.

“Irrespective of the fact that this illegal situation happens at most international ports of entry, we will continue to work with the Police and the said organizations to mitigate against it,” he said.

The United Taxi Company has been vocal in recent weeks about what it describes as organized poaching by private drivers using ‘A’ or ‘C’ plates to conduct commercial business at the airport.

UTC President Ian Joseph has maintained that the association is not targeting individuals who are collecting for family or friends.

Rather, he argues that some private vehicle operators are deliberately engaging in unauthorized commercial pickups for profit, creating unfair competition and undermining licensed operators who pay fees and adhere to regulatory standards.

According to the association, many arriving visitors are unfamiliar with the distinction between licensed taxi plates and private registration plates, making them susceptible to illegal solicitations.

Joseph has also expressed frustration over what he views as slow enforcement, claiming that despite previous commitments, visible monitoring at the airport has been limited.

Joseph told Antigua.news in an early morning interview that some form of action will be taken, to be decided soon.

Late last year, in response to the concerns, Attorney General Sir Steadroy Benjamin established a special committee to examine proposals submitted by the UTC.

Among the recommendations put forward by the association are stronger police action against unauthorized drivers, separate licensing fees for airport-based operators, the introduction of a structured dispatch system, and a proposed royalty arrangement for the company.