Tenerife South Airport Transport Drivers File Complaint Over Lack of Basic Facilities
Unions have filed a formal complaint against transport companies and airport operator Aena over the lack of basic facilities for drivers forced to wait in an unsheltered lot at Tenerife South Airport.
Working conditions for private transport drivers at Tenerife South Airport have reached a breaking point, leading unions to file a formal complaint with the Labor Inspectorate. The CCOO and USO unions report that transport companies are forcing drivers to wait in a vacant lot near the terminal after restrictions were placed on using the airport’s main dock.
The primary issue is the complete lack of basic facilities at this site. According to the complaint, drivers have no access to toilets, drinking water, or shelter from the elements—a situation that has become dangerous during the island’s recent heatwaves. Union representatives argue that because these waiting periods count as official working hours, companies are legally required under occupational safety laws to provide a safe and humane environment.
The complaint targets both the transport companies and Aena, the airport operator. Union leaders Santiago Domínguez (CCOO) and Antonio Manuel Perdomo (USO) point out that even though Aena has suspended dock fees until January 2027, transport companies continue to force staff into the vacant lot, ignoring the lack of facilities.
This dispute highlights a growing conflict between airport logistics and workers' rights. The unions are calling for an urgent inspection to address these safety violations and have warned that they may increase pressure if a solution is not found. Their position is firm: business disagreements between transport operators and the airport should not come at the expense of the drivers' health and dignity.