Tenerife’s main airport faced turmoil as passport machines malfunctioned, leading to a passenger getting her arm caught in the gates. Travelers were left stranded in lengthy queues for biometric passport checks, prompting calls for the airport to address the situation promptly. Complaints arose from British holidaymakers returning from Tenerife, citing issues with non-functional passport reading machines and delays due to rejected passports.
The chaotic scene escalated when a woman’s arm became trapped in the closing gates, requiring assistance from a single overwhelmed staff member amidst the crowd. This incident further highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by airlines like Ryanair, which advised passengers to arrive early to avoid extended wait times at manual passport controls due to staffing shortages.
Adding to the frustration, Tenerife airport is implementing a new EU entry-exit system that mandates travelers to undergo photo and fingerprint scans during their initial use. The British Embassy acknowledged potential delays and operational hiccups at Spanish airports, including Madrid, where queues reportedly exceed an hour due to the new system.
Expressing discontent, the woman involved in the gate mishap criticized the airport’s inefficiencies, emphasizing the need for improvement. Dissatisfied tourists voiced concerns over the unacceptable conditions at Tenerife airport, undermining its appeal to millions of visitors. The malfunctioning biometric machines were condemned for causing chaos and prolonging passenger queues, contrary to their intended time-saving purpose.
Acknowledging the service inadequacies, Tenerife’s island government pledged to address the issues, including optimizing the biometric machines. However, travelers remained skeptical of the effectiveness of these promises, highlighting the persistent challenges faced by passengers navigating the airport’s flawed systems.