Crackdown on illegal ‘Pirate Taxi’ activity at Tenerife South Airport
Granadilla de Abona Council has taken part in a coordinated control operation at Tenerife South Airport aimed at combating “illegal public transport services” by people giving airport runs and offering “private transfers” to tourists and residents.
The initiative, carried out in collaboration with several law enforcement agencies, focused particularly on the growing presence of unlicensed “pirate taxis” using private vehicles to transport passengers unlawfully.
This practice has long been criticised by the island’s licensed taxi sector, which argues it fuels unfair competition and undermines regulated services.
According to the council, the operation was conducted jointly with the Canary Islands Government’s Transport Department, the Directorate General of Transport, and several police units, with the objective of ensuring a safe and legal transport service for the public.
Inspections and Penalties
The deployment included three GRUTE officers, four Granadilla de Abona Local Police officers (including traffic investigators, canine units, and an officer assigned to the airport), one patrol from the Canary Islands Police, and three additional Local Police patrols. In total, 15 private cars and 11 minibuses were inspected.
The operation resulted in two reports for possession of drugs, two positive drug tests, and two general traffic-related violations, all processed by the Local Police. The Canary Islands Police issued a further six sanctions relating specifically to offences for transporting people.
Authorities confirmed that similar operations will continue as part of ongoing efforts to protect regulated transport services and ensure passenger safety.
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