The Minister of the Interior of Spain, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has addressed criticism regarding long queues at passport control in Tenerife South Airport, characterising them as “isolated incidents.” He emphasized that the number of staff assigned to documentation checks has increased by 40% in recent months.
Parliamentary Questioning
The issue was raised in Congress by Cristina Valido, MP for Coalición Canaria, who inquired about the measures the government plans to introduce to prevent a recurrence of “regrettable queues” ahead of the high season in October, when an influx of British tourists is anticipated.
Valido highlighted that these bottlenecks are not exclusive to Tenerife South but are also being experienced in Fuerteventura, and that they have been reported not only during peak season.
“I inquired about this back in December, and the minister assured me that staff levels were being increased and that Aena was coordinating to avoid clashes between flight arrivals. If that is true, then the measures clearly aren’t effective,” Valido contended.
She criticized the British press for highlighting the issue, publishing headlines about “airport chaos”, which may damage the reputation of the Canary Islands in one of its key tourism markets.
Calls for Regional Airport Management
Valido also connected the issue to broader discussions on airport management transfers. She noted that while Catalonia and the Basque Country are negotiating shared control of their airports with Madrid, the Canary Islands’ Statute of Autonomy also allows for a similar arrangement.
She expressed disappointment that these issues are arising under a government in which the Interior Minister hails from the Canary Islands.
Marlaska’s Response
Grande-Marlaska acknowledged that tourists from third countries require more stringent passport checks, which contributes to occasional congestion.
However, he maintained that staffing levels have risen significantly: “We have increased staff by 40%.”
He admitted that there may be “small delays” due to the timing of airline arrivals and departures, but described these as isolated cases rather than systemic failures.
“This is not complacency,” he insisted. “We are collaborating with Aena and the airlines to minimize bottlenecks. Tourism is vital to our economy, and we are committed to ensuring smooth operations.”
The minister also noted that the Interior Ministry has enhanced technical resources, including the installation of automated passport control booths, and further improvements are planned.
While Marlaska downplays the queues at Tenerife South as minor and exceptional, opposition voices argue that they are recurring and structural, harming the Canary Islands’ international image. With the British press emphasising “chaos” at airports and the winter high season approaching, the debate highlights broader concerns regarding airport management and tourism infrastructure in the archipelago.
