New Airport Bus Toll Sparks Delays and Long Queues for Tenerife South Arrivals

TENERIFE SOUTH AIRPORT – A controversial new charging system introduced by airport operator AENA is causing major traffic congestion and lengthy delays for holidaymakers arriving at Tenerife South Airport. According to the Federation of Transport Companies of the Canary Islands, transfer coaches are now facing bottleneck waits of over 30 minutes just to leave the airport grounds during peak hours.

The dispute centers on a new toll introduced on June 1st for coach services operating between the airport and local resorts. Under the new rules, transfer buses are no longer permitted to wait inside the main airport facilities for arriving passengers. Instead, they must remain in a remote external holding yard until a tour operator representative confirms that the entire holiday group has collected their luggage. Only then can the coach enter the paid pick-up zone, which operators argue only has capacity for 30 vehicles despite peak demands reaching up to 90 coaches.

As transport companies warn that these delays will likely worsen ahead of the busy winter season, many independent travelers are choosing to bypass shared shuttle buses altogether. By opting for car rentals or private transfers directly from the terminal, visitors can head straight to their destination without waiting under the sun. This trend highlights the benefit of booking independent accommodation, as travelers staying in premium holiday apartments in los cristianos can arrive at their own pace and start enjoying their vacation immediately.

The transport federation has strongly criticized the sudden changes, labeling them as rushed and revenue-driven rather than operationally sound. Currently, tourists arriving from non-Schengen zones already face passport control wait times of up to two hours before being left to wait outside for their designated coaches to arrive. Industry leaders are now urgently calling on AENA to expand free waiting areas, install shaded passenger shelters, and upgrade facilities to prevent further chaos and protect the island's tourist image.