Several passenger reports describe suspicious situations in taxis operating at Humberto Delgado Airport in Lisbon. Among the problems identified are switched-off taximeters, unnecessary detours, and amounts charged above what was expected. A foreign tourist who lives in Portugal, Josien Nation, warned about situations where passengers end up paying more because the taximeter is not activated, whether when they agree on a price in advance with the driver or when the amount is presented only at the end of the trip. The same source reports testimonies from a user who, for more than ten years, had been making the journey between the airport and Largo do Rato for about 11 euros, was charged 19 or 21 euros on recent trips.
The police carried out an inspection operation in the arrivals area of Humberto Delgado Airport, checking around a hundred taxis. A total of 67 infractions were recorded. Of these, 32 were related to improper positioning of the taximeter. The authorities also detected eight situations involving absence of Taxi Driver Certificate, six for lack of mandatory documents, six for fire extinguishers out of date, three vehicles without valid inspection, and three for lack of Group 2 certification. Infractions were also recorded for taximeter verification out of date, vehicle condition, lack of insurance, driving under the influence of alcohol, and parking in a reserved area.
The National Association of Road Transport Operators in Light Vehicles (ANTRAL) criticized the way the inspection was carried out. The association stated it does not oppose inspection actions and guaranteed that it also combats illegal passenger solicitation, but contested the location and manner chosen for the operation. According to ANTRAL, the inspection temporarily conditioned the functioning of the taxi rank and harmed the image conveyed to passengers arriving in Lisbon, with some vehicles being inspected while already carrying passengers.
