Huge airport queues have caused chaos at a top Spanish holiday destination as tourists have reportedly been left waiting for as long as three hours. The long lines have been occurring in the Canary Islands at Tenerife South Airport.
One photo shared online shows a large line of people at night waiting for a cab. Only one vehicle seems to be parked next to a shelter as groups and individuals with luggage wait their turn.
Holidaymakers are said to be sometimes waiting for two hours to get through passport control, before then being faced with another hour wait at the taxi rank, Canary Weekly reports. The situation has led to the president of the hotel association Ashotel, Jorge Marichal, expressing his anger over the ‘unsustainable image’ the situation has created.
He said in a post on X: “The unsustainable image that we give to residents and tourists with the queues in Tenerife South is regrettable.” Ashotel added: “The employers’ association demands that @CabildoTenerife […] makes the sensitive area of the airport effective so that the service is efficient.”
Jet2 says it is aware of ‘congestion’ at the airport, and is ‘working with the airport to try and improve this’ for its customers.
Stephen Hyde said on X on November 16 that service at the airport was a ‘shambles’. He added: “200m queue for Bag Drop. No explanation. Not one member of staff to manage the queue. What’s gone wrong? Good job it’s not a busy day!”
@harrtheo posted a photo of a large queue after going through security. They wrote: “Tenerife south airport. Another lesson in gross incompetency. Am hour and a half to get through departure passport control.”
@Smeary05 posted a video of a big queue for a gate. They said: “Tenerife South Airport, you might get lots of people missing their flights thanks to the airport incompetence getting to gate. This was our final call and yet still couldn’t get through. Here’s a thought… communicate there’s an issue.”
Christopher Moriarty said: “Can you do anything about Tenerife South Airport? Passport queue is beyond a joke. Especially if you’re a Brit family with children under 18 who seem to be singled out for the longest queue. Not impressed…..”
Jet2 replied on X: “Hi Christopher, we are sorry to hear about your experience. At this time we are aware of congestion at Tenerife South Airport, and our relevant teams are working with the airport to try and improve this for our customers. We apologise again.”
Mr Moriarty added: “Queue organizer tells me there is ONE official doing passports. ONE. How are you working with that?”
Jet2 replied: “We are sorry to hear this. Please be assured we have passed this feedback on to our relevant teams who will take this feedback on board and begin investigating the matter. We apologise again for the inconvenience caused.”
A spokesperson for Aena told The Express: “The passport control is a function of the National Police and the regulation of taxis is the responsibility of the local municipality. Aena provides the infrastructure and collaborates with them.”