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United Kingdom tourists traveling to Lanzarote have been warned about growing concerns at César Manrique Airport, where significant challenges are creating chaotic conditions for passengers. The news reports that Terminal 1 (T1) of the airport has been hit by long queues and overcrowding, with the situation exacerbated by a shortage of National Police officers and outdated processing methods. These issues have led to a frustrating and confusing experience for travelers, especially those arriving from the European Union.

Marcos Santiago, Secretary General of the Unified Police Syndicate, has pointed out that the current system, which funnels both EU and non-EU travelers into the same lines, is to blame for the delays. Santiago emphasized the need for an overhaul of these outdated procedures to meet current regulations and improve efficiency at the airport. He called for immediate improvements to the airport’s facilities to streamline the processing of passengers, reduce congestion in Terminal 1, and enhance overall airport operations.

The situation at Lanzarote Airport has already led to missed flights and significant inconvenience for travelers. In an exclusive report by the Olive Press, one anonymous passenger recounted their experience of missing a flight due to the long queues at passport control. The passenger, who needed to return to Stansted for cancer treatment, expressed frustration, stating that families were split up in the chaos and that Ryanair had to spend an hour and a half removing luggage from the plane after the delays. “None of us were late to the gate,” the passenger said, criticizing the supervisor who made the decision not to allow them to board.

Ryanair responded to the incident, explaining that the delays at Lanzarote Airport on July 31 were due to passport control issues, which were beyond the airline’s control. A spokesperson for Ryanair told Sun Online Travel, “Due to Passport control delays at Lanzarote Airport, a number of passengers missed this flight to London Stansted. Should these passengers have presented at the boarding gate desk before it closed, they would have boarded this flight alongside the 140 passengers who did present at the gate on time. We regret that these airport passport delays at Lanzarote Airport, which are entirely out of our control, caused passengers to miss their flight.”

As the summer travel season continues, UK tourists planning to visit Lanzarote are advised to allow extra time for airport processing and be prepared for potential delays. The ongoing issues at César Manrique Airport highlight the importance of modernizing airport facilities and procedures to ensure a smoother travel experience for all passengers.