The problem of border control at Lanzarote airport continues to be a problem , where the lack of national police officers at passport control has caused numerous queues. The latest to complain were the officials of the Lanzarote Tourism Federation, who are assessing this problem. “There were delays of up to two and a half hours at passport control until the tourists were able to leave their transfer vehicles. There have been numerous complaints, as there are not only adult tourists, but also those who come with children and the controls are delayed even more,” explains Susana Pérez, president of the Lanzarote Tourism Federation.
The European Union has already called the Spanish government to account and this could lead to a withdrawal of competition in the Schengen area. Is the arrival of flights from third countries, specifically British ones, at Lanzarote airport in danger? Pérez points out that “no, the flights are not in danger, but it is a bad experience for a tourist.”
The fact that 50 percent of Lanzarote's visitors are British and therefore from outside the European Union, figures higher than those of other islands where the English barely exceed 30 percent, should force an increase in police personnel . "The number of officers for passport control should be relative to the total volume of passengers arriving at each airport."
Susana Pérez acknowledges some improvement in controls, but points out that there can still be queues of up to an hour and 40 minutes. “There are still delays of more than an hour and a half, from the time the tourist gets off the plane until they reach their transfer.”
Pérez announced that meetings are already being scheduled for September to achieve solutions that will not only consolidate this improvement, but also correct current deficiencies.
