Ashotel has spoken out against the "chaotic queue situation" seen at Tenerife South Airport, particularly since the implementation of passport control for UK citizens following Brexit. There are repeatedly extensive queues both at passport control and at the airport taxi rank, which Ashotel say is "not acceptable for a top-notch infrastructure on the island and of national interest."
Tenerife South Airport ranks seventh in the AENA network in Spain, with 10.8 million passengers and 75,600 operations in 2022. Victoria López, vice president of Ashotel, criticizes the apparent "lack of foresight" in passport control management, especially for passengers from non-EU territories such as the UK. She described this situation as "nonsensical," as flight information should enable the allocation of additional staff if needed.
Furthermore, after clearing passport control, "another problem arises in the form of long queues to get a taxi from the airport." López says that "it makes no sense that only Granadilla taxis can operate at the airport, while vehicles licensed from other municipalities, transporting passengers to Tenerife South, must return empty, leaving hundreds of people waiting for transportation to their accommodation or residence destinations," and that this must be addressed as soon as possible.
Ashotel wants the airport to be declared as a sensitive area so that all taxi licenses can operate in these areas without restrictions, and not only from a particular municipality, emphasizing that the airport is funded with taxes from all Canarians and not just residents of Granadilla.
In search of a solution, Ashotel intends to request meetings with the management of Tenerife South Airport, the local Police Commissioner of Granadilla, and the Granadilla de Abona taxi association. The goal is to resolve a problem that, according to them, "is unworthy of a top-tier European destination and affects not only the perception of tourists but also that of residents.”
This situation arises at a time when tourist recovery on the island is approaching pre-pandemic figures, with increased connectivity during the winter, the high season in the Canary Islands. López warns of "the risk" this poses to the image and future of tourism, urging the Cabildo to implement changes to "improve" the situation.
