Airports Authority Sues 10 Taxicab Operators For Illegal Operations At Dulles

Ten taxicab operators are being sued in federal court by the agency that runs Dulles International Airport.

The ten cab companies, some just individuals who own a single cab or other vehicles-for-hire, are not legally allowed to pick up passengers at Dulles Airport. Ten corresponding lawsuits filed by the Metropolitian Washington Airports Authority allege they are illegally using the 'Washington Flyer' trademark, which is only for cabs that meet certain comfort, safety and pricing standards approved by the airports authority.

"We are protecting the brand name but we are also protecting the passengers, so when they see 'Washington Flyer'—when they see those words—they know the service they are getting," says MWAA spokesman Chris Paolino.

"It could be that they are transposing words so if you did a search for it on the Internet you'd come up with their site. They'd put up pictures of the airport to try to pass themselves off," says Paolino, who adds that the illicit taxi drivers tried to fool passengers into thinking that they were licensed operators.

Drivers using the Washington Flyer brand are required to perform regular maintenance of their cabs, follow set fare guidelines and to take the most direct route to their destination.