Passport Control queues at Canary Islands airports ‘Threaten Tourism Image’
Long queues and extended waiting times at passport controls in Canary Islands airports are being described as a serious threat to the islands’ tourist image, according to the hotel industry.
The Spanish Confederation of Hotels and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has warned that the situation has become a structural problem in key Canary Islands airports, negatively affecting visitors’ first impressions and the overall travel experience.
Tenerife and Lanzarote among the most affected
The problem is particularly noticeable at airports handling large numbers of international arrivals, such as Tenerife South Airport and Lanzarote Airport. Here, the arrival of non-EU passengers, especially from the UK, frequently leads to congestion at passport control.
Industry representatives say delays of more than two hours have been regular occurrences at peak times, creating frustration among holidaymakers arriving in the islands.
Staffing shortages and biometric delays
CEHAT insists the issue is not temporary and points to two main causes:
- Biometric passport control systems are not yet fully operational, with technical issues and slow processing times.
- Insufficient police staffing levels to cope with current passenger volumes.
Jorge Marichal, president of CEHAT and the Tenerife hotel association Ashotel, has called for urgent action.
“After several hours of travel, it is not acceptable for visitors to face excessive waits just to enter the Canary Islands. This situation requires an immediate and coordinated response,” he said.
Impact on visitors and residents
The hotel sector warns that long passport queues affect not only tourists, but also local residents and tourism workers, while damaging the islands’ reputation in an increasingly competitive holiday market.
The impact is considered particularly severe for families with young children, older travellers and people with reduced mobility, for whom long periods standing in queues can be especially challenging.
CEHAT is urging the authorities to increase staffing at passport controls and ensure that biometric systems are fully operational, especially at major tourist gateways across the Canary Islands.
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