The announcement of the forthcoming tender for the drafting of the project for the new Tenerife South Airport terminal is an old demand of the region, first, and of the Island, later. The mayors of the area insist that the local population and the tourist destination require an optimal infrastructure that is typical of its relevance and of the 21st century, although at the same time they show (some) their skepticism about what “seems like just another announcement”. But optimism prevails.
“The process is urgent because the airport cannot take another day like this”
José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga, the councilor from Adejero, maintains the line he has expressed so far on the matter: «Any action that is carried out regarding the improvement of the airport is good news. In this case, it seems that this budget allocation is going to allow the development of a project that meets the real needs of this infrastructure and avoid patches». The veteran of the aldermen warns: “It is urgent that the process be launched as soon as possible, because the airport cannot last another day like this.”
“We will have to see if it is a new terminal or there are more patches”
They also coincide in recalling that the airport complex is “the gateway for most of the tourists who visit us and the situation was already unsustainable.” Rodríguez Fraga hopes “that now the projects arrive quickly and are up to the task, making a more modern and up-to-date airport, at the height of the quality destination we have”
“We want it to be of the first aesthetic and technological level”
An aspect in which Sebastián Martín, mayor of Arico, also hides: «We will be waiting for the materialization of this investment, because Tenerife deserves a first class airport, adapted to the needs of the growth of tourism and in view of the expectations of the increase in routes to the US and the Middle East. And he puts the first doubt on the table: “We will have to see if what is presented is a new refurbished terminal or we continue with more patches. In any case, welcome is the initiative as a result of the demands of the municipalities, the Cabildo and all political forces.
looking forward
José Julián Mena claims, from the Mayor’s Office of Arona, that airport «that is up to the destination. There is a clear consensus in demanding investments for this infrastructure. However, the level of knowledge that we have of what has been agreed does not allow, for the time being, to go deeper. For many years we have claimed that the Tenerife South airport has a first level consideration, not only aesthetically, but from a technological point of view, in terms of baggage and passenger management. If this project goes in that line, therefore, it will be welcome.
“It is satisfying that AENA comes to its senses and complies with the Island”
Although he is pleased that “steps are being taken” towards the goal, the mayor of San Miguel de Abona, Arturo González, indicates that this is a very political period and warns that “administrative processes” can slow down the completion of a work ” essential and priority” for the Island. As an example of this slowness, he mentions “the delay in the start-up of Terminal 2”.
“Administrative processes can slow down the work”
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Emilio Navarro does not hide his satisfaction as mayor of Santiago del Teide and as insular president of the PP: «It was time for the PSOE to give us joy for Tenerife Sur. It is satisfying that the work of so many years of demands has an echo and fruits and that AENA comes to its senses and complies with the region and with Tenerife. The South airport is a pending issue and we will not stop demanding. We do not forget that this is an announcement and that we are in a propitious political time to make them. Now it’s their turn to comply.”
“Great news because a modern terminal is needed”
The youngest (because of his youth and experience in office) of the mayors, Luis Javier González (Fasnia), understands that the proximity of the tender for the drafting of the Reina Sofía terminal project «is magnificent news, because Tenerife Sur needs a modern terminal adapted to the destination that we are».
“The inhabitants of this Island deserve a great investment”
Along the same lines, Josefa Mesa, Mayor of Guía de Isora, also recalls that it is “good news for the region, the Island and the Canary Islands, the result of negotiations and work. It is what we all tried and wanted to achieve»
“It’s what we all tried and wanted to achieve”
José Domingo Regalado, mayor of Granadilla de Abona, regrets that in mid-2022 «we will continue talking about improving the current terminal, when what is necessary is a new one. We can’t keep allowing patches. It has been a big mistake not to include the construction of the new terminal in the DORA 2022-2026. Tenerife Sur Airport is one of the most important in Spain in terms of passenger traffic, and yet, every time we demand improvements and innovation, we must wait decades. The inhabitants of this island deserve a great investment for the Tenerife Sur Airport».
