Taxi drivers from municipalities other than Granadilla de Abona and San Miguel, particularly those from Arona and Adeje, will now be allowed to pick up passengers at Tenerife Sur Airport during peak hours to meet the increased demand that exceeds the number of taxis available at the rank.
This arrangement was proposed by the driver associations of Granadilla de Abona and San Miguel, along with the Taxi Federation of the Canary Islands (Fedetax), at a meeting convened by the Island Council. Notably absent from the meeting were the municipal councillors of Granadilla, Jennifer Miranda, and San Miguel, Arturo Gonzalez, though Gonzalez only missed due to his attendance at a craft fair presentation at the Island Corporation.
Rosa Dávila, the island president, expressed gratitude towards the taxi drivers’ associations for their cooperation in reaching this agreement. She acknowledged their reasonable proposal to enhance public service at the airport, a crucial and sensitive area. Dávila emphasized the Island Council’s responsibility to declare the airport a sensitive area and mentioned the urgency of establishing regulations for this special regime.
These regulations aim to secure the livelihood of taxi families in Granadilla and San Miguel while preventing the recurrence of long queues of tourists and visitors at the island’s major airport. To implement these regulations, the Island Council will require AENA to constantly update information to adequately meet taxi demand.
Juan Artiles of Fedetax explained that taxis from other municipalities would be allowed to load passengers when they bring passengers to the airport, but this will be an exceptional arrangement. A designated individual will manage the rank to organize trips. Artiles highlighted the importance of the solution reached, pending the urgent drafting of regulations by the Island Council’s legal experts.
He emphasized that today’s agreement prevents future problems experienced at other airports. He ruled out any “transitional” measures until the legal framework is finalized to avoid future misunderstandings. Artiles also dismissed the idea of increasing the number of licenses, noting that the high demand for taxis is not a daily occurrence but specific to certain times, as highlighted by the Fedetax representative.
