Passport machines malfunctioning at Tenerife’s main airport caused chaos, with one traveler experiencing her arm getting stuck in the gates. Frustration grew as tourists faced long queues for biometric passport checks, leading to complaints about faulty machines and rejected valid passports.
In a concerning incident, a woman had to be rescued by a single staff member after her arm got trapped in the closing gates. Airlines like Ryanair had previously warned passengers of delays at manual passport controls, advising them to arrive early.
The lack of sufficient staff exacerbated the situation, with one passenger noting that long queues persisted even after supposed improvements. The airport is implementing a new EU entry-exit system, adding further delays as travelers now have to provide biometric data upon entry.
Expressing dismay, the woman involved in the gate incident criticized the airport’s inefficiency and called for urgent improvements. Travelers voiced their dissatisfaction with the malfunctioning biometric machines, emphasizing the need for a smoother process.
Tenerife authorities acknowledged the airport’s service inadequacy and vowed to address the issues promptly. However, travelers remain skeptical about the effectiveness of the measures taken so far, highlighting ongoing challenges at the airport.
