The travelers, from Essex, United Kingdom, were preparing for the worst before their return flight, after reading numerous testimonies about tourists “trapped” in the Tenerife terminal. However, their experience at 7:00 PM was a deserted scene that allowed them to reach their boarding gate in just a few minutes.
“"Tenerife airport completely empty… after all the horror stories we walked right through 🙌🏼 don’t panic 👌🏼🤗 enjoy your holidays"
This situation contrasts with reports from recent weeks, which denounced several-hour waits at security and check-in. This family's testimony has generated an intense debate on social media, where other travelers shared similar experiences at different airports in the Archipelago, such as Gran Canaria, where procedures were completed in just 20 minutes.
The main cause for concern among international passengers is the implementation of the EES (Entry/Exit System), an automated IT system that replaces physical passport stamping for non-European Union citizens traveling to the Schengen area. This system, which began operating in October 2025 and aims for full functionality by April 2026, records biometric data to enhance border security.
Despite this family's positive experience, authorities continue to recommend arriving at the terminal well in advance, at least three hours before the scheduled flight departure. Delays at Tenerife South Airport can be unpredictable and depend on the volume of simultaneous flights, indirectly affecting even European Union passport holders.
