Police Target Illegal Taxis at Key Tourist Gateway
The Local Police of Granadilla de Abona, in coordination with the Canarian Police, have launched a specific campaign against illegal taxi operations around Tenerife South Airport, one of the main entry points for visitors to the island. The operation’s fundamental aim is to detect and remove so-called ‘pirate taxis’ from circulation—vehicles offering passenger transport services without the required administrative authorisation and outside current regulations.
Ensuring Safety and Fair Competition
The action is part of a strategy to guarantee safe, legal, and high-quality transport for both tourists arriving in southern Tenerife and residents who use this service regularly. Granadilla Town Hall insists that illegal transport not only represents unfair competition for professional taxi drivers who comply with all legal requirements but also poses an evident risk to users. These unauthorised vehicles lack the technical, administrative, and safety controls mandatory for the regulated sector.
Official Statements on Economic and Reputational Damage
The Councillor for Security for Granadilla Town Hall, Candelaria Rodríguez, stated that this campaign’s “priority is to remove those operating outside the law from circulation and guarantee that taxi services are provided under safe and legal conditions.” Rodríguez emphasised that illegal operations cause direct economic harm to taxi professionals, affect the stability of a sector that generates employment, and damage the image of the tourist destination, especially in a sensitive environment like the airport.
Echoing this sentiment, the Minister of the Presidency, Public Administrations, Justice and Security of the Government of the Canary Islands, Nieves Lady Barreto, highlighted the importance of collaboration between administrations and police forces to tackle this problem. She explained, “The fight against illegal transport is a priority, especially in strategic infrastructures like airports, where user safety and service quality are paramount.”
Sustained Campaign Across Sensitive Locations
Controls will be carried out continuously at Tenerife South Airport and other sensitive points within the municipality where a greater presence of irregular activity has been detected. The local government stated in a communiqué that this campaign is not conceived as a one-off action but as part of a sustained, long-term strategy to eradicate illegal operations, reinforce legality, and consolidate a professional, regulated taxi sector essential for mobility and economic development in southern Tenerife.
This follows similar action last July, when Local Police increased inspections to detect illegal transport services at the airport. These included unlicensed private vehicle rentals, irregular use of campervans, and illegal professional practices affecting the taxi sector and legal transport.
No post found!