Taxi drivers boycotted Gatwick Airport this morning in protest at the terms of new franchises.

More than 270 drivers who usually serve the two airport terminals refused to take fares between 6am and 10am.

Passengers emerging from the terminals tried to book other cabs on the phone but found many firms refusing to take them in support of the protest.

The cabbies say new arrangements, to be introduced on February 1, will hit their earnings and are unfair.

Many are from Goldline and Gatwick Airport Cars, who have lost their franchises to rivals Excellent Connections and Checkers Cars. The new agreements will last five years.

The dispute affects 275 drivers who are backed by Gatwick Airport Drivers Association (GADA).

GADA spokesman Nigel Jones said: "There has not been one of the drivers working at all. We have also had the full support of the local private hire firms.

"Let me say, we feel very sorry for the passengers. It is not them we are getting to. We have a lot of sympathy for them. But the British Airports Authority has pushed us into a corner that we have to get out of.

"They say the changes are for the benefit of the passengers but when I asked them what they were they couldn't answer me."

Until the new contracts come into force, the existing two firms can pick up passengers from both the north and south terminals.

The new agreement says Excellent Connections must restrict itself to the north terminal and Checkers Cars to the south.

Drivers insist they need to work from both bases to even out fluctuations in business.

They have also criticised fare rises of 22p a mile, the introduction of fixed fares and a requirement to lease cars from the two companies rather than use their own vehicles.

Cabbies had threatened not to turn up when the new arrangements start on February 1 but late last week decided on today's boycott. Most are expected to join the two new companies.

BAA said discussions had been held with GADA over the new arrangements and its aim was to get a single company serving each terminal to make continuous provision for passengers.