Taxi Woes at Tenerife South Airport: Long Queues and Empty Rides
Wednesday, November 27th, 2024
Lengthy Waits Frustrate Passengers
Tenerife South Airport has been grappling with significant taxi shortages for an extended period, resulting in long queues for passengers almost daily. The situation worsens during peak travel times, particularly when several flights arrive simultaneously. Passengers are often left waiting for some time, with hundreds of frustrated travellers vying for a limited number of taxis.
Empty Taxis Leaving the Airport
Adding to the frustration, many passengers are surprised to see taxis dropping off passengers at the departures terminal but leaving the airport empty, unable to pick up waiting fares. This inefficiency stems from stringent licensing rules that restrict which taxis can operate at Tenerife South Airport.
Licensing Restrictions at the Core
Under current regulations, only taxis licensed by the municipality of Granadilla de Abona are allowed to collect passengers from Tenerife South Airport. Taxis from other municipalities, even if they drop off passengers at the airport, are prohibited from picking up new fares. This restriction leaves a significant number of taxis returning to their respective areas without passengers, despite the high demand at the airport.
Environmental and Traffic Implications
The implications of this issue go beyond passenger inconvenience. The requirement for non-Granadilla taxis to drive back empty exacerbates CO₂ emissions and contributes to traffic congestion on Tenerife’s already busy main roads. This inefficiency not only impacts the environment but also adds to the strain on the island’s transport infrastructure.
Calls for Action
This problem is far from new, yet a sustainable solution remains elusive. Jorge Marichal, president of the hotel employers’ association Ashotel, has recently drawn attention to the issue, urging government authorities to intervene. Marichal emphasises the need for effective reforms to address both passenger dissatisfaction and the broader environmental and logistical challenges.
Time for Change
The ongoing taxi issues at Tenerife South Airport highlight the pressing need for better coordination and regulatory adjustments. Reforms could include revisiting the licensing restrictions, enabling more taxis to serve the airport, and improving transport efficiency. Addressing these problems would not only ease the frustrations of passengers but also benefit the environment and the island’s overall infrastructure.
TIP
With a pre-booked airport transfer, you can beat the queues! Your driver will be waiting for you when you arrive and take you straight to your vehicle – no queueing or waiting around at the taxi rank.