The local authorities in Granadilla de Abona have significantly increased surveillance efforts at Tenerife South Airport to combat the presence of so-called “pirate taxis” and other forms of unauthorised transport. The initiative targets a range of irregular activities, including peer-to-peer vehicle rentals, the improper use of caravans, and unlicensed operators encroaching on the legal taxi and transport sectors.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Granadilla de Abona Town Council announced the implementation of enhanced monitoring and traffic control measures in and around the airport. These efforts are designed to bolster road safety and maintain order at one of the Canary Islands’ principal gateways for international and domestic travellers.
The Town Council affirmed its ongoing commitment to these operations and expressed its intention to cooperate—within its jurisdictional limits—with the appropriate regional authorities to foster what it described as a “safe, orderly and respectful” environment for licensed transport professionals.
A Strategic Point Under Scrutiny
Councillor for Security, Candelaria Rodríguez, highlighted the strategic importance of Tenerife South Airport, which processes between 30,000 and 40,000 passengers daily and can exceed 60,000 during peak travel periods. “This is a key transit point where transport services from across the island converge,” she noted.
Rodríguez criticised the impact of unlawful transport activities, stating that such practices “create confusion among tourists, damage the island’s reputation as a travel destination, and result in substandard service—entirely out of place at a first-class international airport.”
Support for Legal Operators and Fair Competition
Councillor for Mobility, René Oval, reinforced the Town Council’s stance, stressing that their actions are not only about regulation but also about protecting the livelihoods of legally operating taxi drivers. “This operation is essential for ensuring fair competition in the transport sector,” he said.
“The Council is exercising its regulatory powers to improve the experience of our visitors while defending the interests of the legal taxi industry and the professionals who comply with the law,” Oval added.
Transport-related offences identified during these inspections may result in penalties exceeding €4,000. All infractions are reported to the Transport Department of the Tenerife Island Council, which holds the ultimate regulatory authority in this domain.
Ongoing Traffic and Speed Monitoring
In addition to clamping down on illegal operators, the Local Police continue to enforce speed restrictions in the airport zone, where the limit is set at 40 km/h. They are also conducting checks on VTC (chauffeured hire) vehicles to ensure that they only access the terminal when a prior reservation has been made, in line with current legal requirements.
