Aena reverses controversial airport fee
Aena has reversed a payment measure it introduced at Tenerife South Airport (Reina Sofía) at the beginning of July, which caused chaos for passenger pick-ups. The state-owned airport operator has suspended the charge for private hire coaches until December this year.
Emergency meeting brings consensus
The decision was reached during a meeting held this morning at the southern airport, bringing together Aena, the regional transport trade association, the Cabildo of Tenerife, and the Canary Islands Government. The access barrier will continue to operate, but free of charge until the end of the year. This period will serve as a trial to assess whether one hour is sufficient time for picking up passengers at the arrivals terminal. This was the maximum time set by Aena for coaches to remain in the bay outside the terminal. Beyond that, firms would have been charged for any additional parking time.
Traffic chaos gives way to dialogue
The traffic chaos at Tenerife South Airport and the widespread disagreement over the introduction of what became known as the ‘big fee’ have now given way to consensus and dialogue between all parties involved. As for current operations at the barrier, the airport infrastructure was running normally this Tuesday, with some peaks in passenger numbers but no congestion at the entrance to the coach bay, which has 75 stands.
Alternative parking and driver concerns
Aena has also made available another parking area located at the top of the airport, where coaches can wait free of charge until flights arrive. Once passengers are approaching, drivers come down to the access barrier to minimise their time inside and thus avoid paying. In this regard, transport operators have complained that this waiting zone lacks any facilities: there are no toilets and no shade. During the meeting, the airport authority committed to upgrading this space to ensure the welfare of workers while they wait.
Trial period running until January 2027
A five-month trial period now begins to determine whether the time limit is workable. A definitive measure will be introduced from 1 January 2027.
New fast ferry Mercedes Pinto connects the Canary Islands
Two planes in near miss over Canary Islands airspace
New summer flights from Tenerife: more routes, more destinations
Canary Islands demands urgent Aena meeting over Tenerife Sur bus ‘tax’
Teide’s busiest car parks get £1.1m overhaul
Emergency landing at Tenerife Sur as passenger collapses
Iberia Express launches new Canary Islands resident fare deal
Canary Islands airports see slight passenger dip in first half of 2026
Tourist bus chaos at Tenerife South airport sparks fury
