Leaders from Ashotel, the Hotel and Aparthotel Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, have raised the alarm about the severe congestion at passport control in Tenerife South Airport
Thousands of holidaymakers are facing chaos at Tenerife South Airport as tourism industry leaders are calling for change.
Leaders from Ashotel, the Hotel and Aparthotel Association of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, have raised the alarm about the severe congestion at passport control in Tenerife South Airport. They say that at many times there are only two police officers doing passport checks, which leads to hours-long queues for tourists trying to get through.
They also say that the situation is worsened by long waits at the airport’s taxi stand. Ashotel leaders have also said that these issues have escalated since Brexit in January 2021.
The situation has not been resolved despite numerous complaints and meetings with AENA (the Spanish airport authority) and the National Police Department.
Ashotel stated in a press release: “This scenario is unacceptable at a top-tier tourist destination. It added that leaders are frustrated at the lack of action despite clear warnings in 2021. They cited an instance where on November 7, only two of the four double passport control booths were operational, staffed by just two officers.
Furthermore, the 30 biometric self-service machines installed in zones A and B were reported to be non-functional.
Travellers’ frustrations are also being compounded by lengthy delays at passport control and long waits for taxis, which can also last up to an hour. Ashotel has criticised the current regulations that grant exclusive rights to taxis from Granadilla de Abona to operate at Tenerife South Airport.
This forces vehicles from other municipalities to leave the airport empty after dropping off passengers, exacerbating the lack of transport options for travellers trying to reach their accommodations or homes.
Ashotel is advocating for key transport hubs like Tenerife South to be declared “sensitive areas,” allowing unrestricted taxi services from all municipalities. They stress that such infrastructure is funded by all Spanish taxpayers and should not operate as a privilege for a specific locale.
Ashotel has highlighted the seriousness of the situation, pointing out that Tenerife South is the seventh busiest airport in AENA’s network in Spain, handling 12.3 million passengers and 83,600 operations in 2023. They have labelled the current state of passport control and taxi services as “unacceptable,” and are demanding immediate action to prevent further damage to the island’s reputation as a top tourist destination.
Earlier, we reported on a Brit who swapped the UK for sunny Tenerife warning fellow tourists flocking to the destination this winter.
The Canary Island, which is popular for those seeking winter sun, may be a slice of paradise, but visitors are being urged to stay vigilant. TikTok user @theknightstrider1, who’s called Tenerife home for over 10 years, warns a particular problem plagues the island every winter season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the issue is pickpocketing. Unlike mainland Spain, which quiets down in winter, Tenerife’s tourist trade booms, attracting criminal gangs who “fly in” with the sole purpose of thieving from holidaymakers, treating it like a “full-time job”.
In the clip, he explained: “They are very good at it, and they will do pickpocketing. They will steal from cars if you leave stuff inside them, so please do be very careful with your wallets, and stuff like that.”
