As the Christmas and New Year holiday approach, concerns over taxi shortages at Lanzarote airport and other key tourist hotspots are rising, echoing the problems recently reported at airports in Gran Canaria and Tenerife South.
The Lanzarote Tourism Federation (FTL) has called for urgent action to ensure smooth taxi services for both residents and visitors during the busy festive period.
The lack of available taxis, particularly at theirport, has raised alarm bells. Susana Pérez, president of both the FTL and Asolan, highlighted the potential negative impact on Lanzarote’s image.
“We cannot allow the lack of taxis to ruin the experience of tourists or inconvenience residents. Imagine families with small children, waiting endlessly for a taxi after a three or four-hour flight. This is not the impression we want to give, especially at Christmas,” she said.
Businesses Voice Growing Concerns
Local businesses, especially in the popular tourist municipality of Yaiza, have reported numerous complaints regarding the difficulty of getting taxis. Hotels and restaurants are increasingly affected, with some customers cancelling reservations due to long waits or a complete inability to find transport.
These problems, already evident during weekends and exacerbated over the recent bank holiday, are expected to worsen during the festive season, potentially damaging the island's reputation and hurting the local economy.
Restaurants, retail businesses, and leisure companies are particularly vulnerable to the impact of these issues. With Christmas being a peak period for tourism, the strain on taxi services threatens to undermine one of Lanzarote’s most crucial economic drivers.
Calls for Immediate Action
To mitigate the risk of a taxi service collapse, the FTL has urged the Lanzarote Cabildo’s Department of Transport to implement immediate measures.
Among the proposed solutions is the introduction of a joint taxi service, which would allow vehicles from all municipalities on the island to operate at the airport, not just those from Arrecife as under current legislation.
Pérez argued that this approach would not only meet growing demand but also improve sustainability by reducing empty return trips for drivers, who are allowed to drop people off at the airport, but not pick up new fares.
Enhancing Passport Control Amid British Tourism Surge
In a related move, the FTL has also written to the Government requesting increased staffing for passport control at Lanzarote Airport. The Christmas season traditionally sees a surge in British tourists, who make up 50% of the island’s arrivals.
However, checks for children under 12, which must be conducted manually rather than through automated systems, have previously caused significant delays.
Given the influx of family tourism anticipated over the holidays, the federation is pressing for additional resources to ensure smoother processing times and a more welcoming experience for visitors.
