It has been confirmed that 45 new immigration officers will be deployed to Lanzarote’s César Manrique Airport, following months of growing pressure from unions, politicians, and local media, due to growing queues and waiting times at passport control, particularly for British holidaymakers.
The announcement comes as the Spanish National Police updates its official Job Catalogue, with the additions set to bring the total number of border control officers at the airport to 94.
The move follows a series of reports highlighting long queues, delays, and even flight cancellations affecting passengers travelling to non-EU and non-Schengen destinations, particularly the UK. These operational issues have fuelled public frustration and raised concerns over the airport's capacity to meet international border control requirements.
The spokesperson for the Canary Islands government, Pedro San Ginés, confirmed the news and stressed its significance. “I believe this decision may have been made in response to fears of potential sanctions from the European Union, following complaints over insufficient staffing for the processing of non-EU passengers,” he said.
He also acknowledged the role played by the Cabildo in securing the expansion. “At the urging of President Oswaldo Betancort, I posed a formal question to the Ministry, which until now had only given vague responses. However, the new job catalogue has finally been approved, validating our concerns and confirming the hiring of new personnel, effectively doubling the previous workforce,” he added.
San Ginés noted that a staffing level of around 90 officers had been recommended several years ago but was only now being realised. “This confirms that the need has long existed and is finally being addressed.”
The Equiparación Ya Union, which has been vocal in calling for increased staffing at the airport, welcomed the announcement. However, they also stressed the importance of ensuring that the newly appointed officers are assigned exclusively to border control duties at César Manrique Airport, and not diverted to other roles.
The decision marks a significant step in resolving ongoing issues at the airport, which serves as a crucial gateway for millions of international tourists visiting Lanzarote each year. The reinforcement of border staffing is expected to ease travel bottlenecks, improve security procedures, and restore confidence among passengers and airlines alike.
