Canarian People’s Party call for EES suspension at Canarian airports

The Canarian People’s Party (PP) has called for the Spanish government to suspend the EES system at Canarian airports.

David Morales, the PP’s spokesman for Tourism, highlighted delays at Tenerife South, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria and described “third world scenes” of “British tourists, our main source market, crammed into airport terminals and even queuing in the sun outside the aircraft parking area.”

Morales argued that EU Regulation 2025/1534 permits any member state to suspend the EES when technical failures or other circumstances cause excessive waiting times for passengers, and said that “this is precisely what is happening in Tenerife South, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and Gran Canaria.”

He pointed out that Greece has recently suspended the collection of biometric data, and that this has been welcomed by tour operators

Morales called for an increase in technological support and more staffing levels, without which, he claimed “we have no chance”. He also stressed the responsibility of AENA, Spain’s airport operator, to provide sufficient space, comfort and hygiene for travellers.

Morales’ request will require support from the Coalición Canaria, the PP’s partners in the ruling pact, before a formal request for suspension can be made to Madrid.