Local Police on the Canary Islands’s most popular island have been forced to intensify inspections amid a surge in « illegal transport services » operating at one of its airports. At Tenerife South Airport, a growing number of people are offering private taxi services as well as offering unlicensed vehicle rentals between private individuals, the improper use of campervans and other unauthorised activities that undermine the taxi industry and regulated transport operators.
In a statement issued on Tuesday (July 8), Granadilla de Abona Town Hall confirmed that actions are now being taken to combat irregular transport at Tenerife’s larger airport, which primarily handles international traffic, through increased monitoring and traffic safety measures. The Town Hall stressed that it will continue with these operations and will collaborate with the relevant authorities to ensure the airport remains “safe, orderly and respectful” towards legitimate companies and drivers.
According to the Councillor for Security, Candelaria Rodríguez, Tenerife South handles between 30,000 and 40,000 passengers a day, rising to as many as 60,000 during peak season. As a result, much of the island’s transport services converge at this location.
“Irregular practices confuse tourists, damage the destination’s image, and offer a poor-quality service that does not reflect the standards expected of a first-class international airport,” she added, reported Canarian Weekly.
Transport-related offences can result in fines exceeding €4,000 (£3,400), with reports then passed on to the Department of Transport at the Tenerife Cabildo, which holds overall responsibility.
In addition, the Local Police regularly conduct speed checks, with a limit of 40kph (25 mph) around the airport, and ensure that private vehicles only enter airport premises if they have a pre-booked reservation, in line with current regulations.
Fines over illegal taxis are not the only concerns tourists headed to the holiday island must contend with this summer. Elsewhere, a local president of Santa Cruz, the Canary Islands’ capital city, was recently slapped with a €1,500 (£1,200) penalty for repeatedly feeding pigeons. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez stressed the importance of adhering to the regulation, which classifies feeding birds as a serious offence.
He said: « We cannot allow behaviours that disrupt coexistence and create sanitary issues in the city. »
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