This Saturday, the Tenerife South airport found itself struggling to manage kilometre-long queues of passengers desperately wanting taxis having just landed on the island. Social media has been ablaze with images and videos capturing the dire situation at the airport, sparking a wave of indignation among residents of the Canary Islands.
Outraged by the scenes, journalist Javi Rodríguez took to Twitter to share the disconcerting video, commenting, "This cannot happen in an airport that is among the top five in Spain and on an island that is a top-level tourist destination. It is intolerable".
In response to Rodríguez's tweet, the online community has come forward to voice their concerns. Many users argue that Tenerife's popularity as a tourist destination has led to overpopulation issues that are significantly impacting the quality of life for residents.
"One can't help but wonder if we need to reassess our approach to tourism," suggested one user. They cited overcrowded roads in the southern part of the island, a shortage of long-term rental apartments, rising prices in supermarkets in tourist-heavy areas, and an overwhelmed public bus system as evidence of the challenges the island faces due to its tourism boom.
As the images of endless queues at the airport continue to circulate, it remains to be seen whether this incident will prompt authorities and local residents to take action to address the situation, and its consequences on the island's infrastructure and the well-being of its inhabitants.
