Serious congestion has once again been reported at Tenerife South Airport, where only a small fraction of the new biometric passport control machines are currently functioning. Of the 36 Entry/Exit System (EES) devices installed to streamline border checks, just five have been operational in recent days, representing roughly 15% of the total.
The malfunctioning equipment has led to lengthy queues at passport control, with waiting times reportedly exceeding 90 minutes. On one of the busiest recent days, congestion spread beyond the arrivals hall and extended into the corridor linking the runway with the terminal, according to sources consulted by this newspaper.
Technical failures since installation
Sources familiar with the situation indicate that many of the machines have suffered technical problems since their installation in November. Reported issues include failures in door-opening mechanisms, connectivity errors and software malfunctions. As a result, around a dozen machines remain unusable, significantly reducing processing capacity during peak arrival periods.
These difficulties have triggered renewed complaints about the handling of passenger flows at one of the Canary Islands’ busiest international airports, particularly during periods of high tourist demand.
Tourism sector denounces recurring problems
The hotel association Ashotel has publicly criticised the situation, describing the long waits as a recurring problem despite repeated warnings over recent years. According to the association, responsibility lies with the combined inaction of AENA, which manages airport infrastructure, and the Ministry of the Interior, which oversees border staffing and control systems.
Ashotel argues that the outcome is a form of “permanent and systematic mistreatment” of visitors arriving in the Canary Islands, damaging the destination’s reputation and undermining efforts to provide a high-quality travel experience.
Concerns over impact on British tourists
José Fernando Cabrera, president of the Friends of the South Forum (FAST), warned that the ongoing problems particularly affect British travellers, the island’s largest tourism market. He described the situation as “an entrenched problem that AENA has not been able to resolve so far”, stressing that repeated delays at passport control risk eroding confidence in Tenerife as a first-class tourist destination.
Similar complaints have been recorded during previous high-traffic periods, with waiting times consistently exceeding what many consider acceptable standards for a major international airport.
Ministry of the Interior rejects claims of structural failure
For its part, the Ministry of the Interior has rejected allegations of a systemic problem at Tenerife South Airport. The department insists that there is “no evidence of repeated crowding” and maintains that the airport is operating normally.
According to the Home Office, the delays observed in recent days were caused by temporary incidents in the computer system and specific concentrations of arriving flights, rather than by a structural failure of passport control operations.
Ongoing tensions ahead of peak travel periods
The contrast between official assurances and complaints from the tourism sector highlights ongoing tensions over border management at Tenerife South Airport. With peak travel periods and major events approaching, industry representatives continue to call for urgent technical and staffing solutions to prevent further disruptions and protect the Canary Islands’ image as a welcoming destination.
