French Taxi Drivers Block Access to Paris Airport

Paris, Feb 8 (IANS) The drivers of private vehicles booked online, known in France as VTC, blocked traffic at the entrance of Paris's Charles de Gaulle Airport on Monday, protesting measures taken by the government against taxi drivers.

The drivers continued their protest, which started on Saturday, using their cars to block the road leading to the airport's main entrance, causing traffic jams on the highway, EFE news reported.

The protest comes days after taxi drivers protested against the unfair competition of VTC services, which led to the government imposing further controls on VTC services.

VTC drivers believe that the government does not allow them to practise their work normally.

Last year, a French court banned UberPop car rental service, observing that it constitutes unfair competition with taxi drivers, but the court supported the online reservation services of VTC, provided that drivers are trained. According to estimates, this sector generates 10,000 jobs in France.