Ashotel, the Hotel and Aparthotel Association of the province of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which includes the islands of La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro, has once again raised concerns over the severe congestion and queues at passport control in Tenerife South Airport, a recurring issue that doesn’t seem to be getting any better.
They report that only two police officers are managing passport checks and stamping checks, forcing holidaymakers to endure hours-long queues in terminals, further compounded by lengthy waits at the airport’s taxi stand.
Increased Delays Since Brexit
Ashotel highlighted that these bottlenecks have got worse since the UK’s exit from the EU in January 2021. Despite repeated public complaints and meetings with officials from AENA (the Spanish airport authority) and the National Police Department, no corrective measures have been implemented.
“This scenario is unacceptable at a top-tier tourist destination,” Ashotel stated in a press release, lamenting the continued lack of action despite clear warnings in 2021. On November 7th, for instance, only two of the four double passport control booths were operational, staffed by just two officers. Additionally, the 30 biometric self-service machines installed in zones A and B have remained non-functional.
Ashotel has sent an urgent letter to Anselmo Pestana, the Government Delegate in the Canary Islands, requesting a meeting with the National Police to address the ongoing crisis.
Taxi Stand Woes Add to Traveller Frustration
The delays at passport control are further aggravated by long waits for taxis, which can also be up to an hour. Ashotel criticised the existing regulations that grant exclusive rights to taxis from Granadilla de Abona to operate at Tenerife South Airport, forcing vehicles from other municipalities to leave the airport empty after dropping passengers. This, they argue, exacerbates the lack of transportation options for travellers trying to reach their accommodations or homes.
The organisation advocates for declaring key transport hubs like Tenerife South as "sensitive areas," enabling unrestricted taxi services from all municipalities. They emphasise that such infrastructure is funded by all Spanish taxpayers and should not operate as a privilege for a specific locale.
A Critical Issue for a Major Airport
Ashotel underlined the gravity of the situation, noting 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 labelled the current state of passport control and taxi services as “unacceptable,” demanding immediate action to prevent further damage to the island’s reputation as a premier tourist destination.
