News from Tenerife (#22) is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.
In this series, we publish a number of events and news facts from the past week. Each article in News from Tenerife is a synthesis of several facts, actions, and occurrences that are too short to be published as a full-fledged article.
Tension on flights to the Canary Islands
News from Tenerife #22/1
Tension on flights to Tenerife is always a possibility, but this past week there were several incidents ranging from uncomfortable to downright unpleasant.
On a flight from Newcastle to Tenerife, passengers had to endure the misbehavior of a few drunken travelersthroughout the entire journey. Upon arrival in Tenerife, they were welcomed by the Guardia Civil.
On Binter flight NT-6015 from Madrid to Gran Canaria, with a stopover in Tenerife last Thursday, a group of young passengers boarded in an obviously intoxicated state. They had already shown signs of their impaired condition at Terminal 2 of Barajas Airport, which caused unease among other passengers.
During boarding, some travelers reported the group’s behavior to the crew, prompting the captain to intervene. As their actions endangered the safety of the flight, they were ordered to leave the aircraft. Although the individuals initially protested, the arrival of Guardia Civil agents ensured their removal without further incidents.
The incident caused a 45-minute delay, as some of the removed passengers’ luggage had to be retrieved from the aircraft’s hold. The crew’s swift action was met with applause from the remaining passengers, who appreciated the decisive handling of the situation.
On an unspecified flight to Tenerife, a passenger urinated in the middle of the aisle and has now been handed an exemplary punishment.
Criminal gang dismantled in Tenerife
News from Tenerife #22/2
Agents of the Policía Nacional, in cooperation with the Unit for Fiscal Control of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, have dismantled a criminal organization that defrauded €8,395,241. The gang scammed over 3,211 tourists through 17 commercial bazaars in Arona and Adeje (Tenerife), taking advantage of the island’s heavy tourist traffic.
Investigations revealed that all fraudulent transactions were conducted in person on Tenerife, with no online operations, according to an official police statement. More and more British tourists claim to have been scammed in southern Tenerife when purchasing electronic products.
These shops, which appeared to be normal businesses, served as fronts for large-scale fraud. Using credit card terminals (datáfonos), the criminals made unauthorized charges to unsuspecting customers’ bank cards.
Additionally, one of the key business owners involved in the fraud has gone missing, and an international arrest warrant has been issued against him.
Several gang members lured tourists into their stores, where they collected personal data under the guise of a purchase. They then executed fraudulent transactions using payment terminals and advanced technology.
To avoid detection, the organization ensured that tourists left the island before they realized they had been scammed. Additionally, they created fake invoices to justify the fraudulent charges in case of complaints.
Authorities are currently analyzing seized devices and tracking the stolen funds to determine where the embezzled money has gone. The Policía Nacional and Fiscal Control Unit continue their investigations, working in cooperation with EUROPOL and consulates of affected countries to identify victims.
The police urge any tourists who suspect they have been scammed to file a report, as this will help recover stolen funds and strengthen legal action against those responsible.
Simulated plane crash
News from Tenerife #22/3
Last Monday, Tenerife South Airport conducted a plane crash simulation to test its response capacity and coordination with external emergency services.
The exercise simulated a crash involving a commercial Embraer aircraft with 24 passengers and five crew members on board, according to airport operator AENA in a press release.
The scenario involved engine failure during landing, causing the aircraft to veer off course, exit the runway, and crash beyond the airport perimeter in Zone E.
Since the accident occurred in Zone E, the emergency plans of the Canary Islands Autonomous Region were activated. The Emergency Directorate of the Canary Islands Government took charge of the incident.
With this exercise, Tenerife South Airport meets the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regarding emergency planning. This includes all operational procedures and protocols for requesting external and coordinated assistance, according to the official statement.
Community involvement in eco-friendly activities
News from Tenerife #22/4
The government coordinated 18 activities last week to raise awareness among residents about the importance of environmental conservation.
On Wednesday, March 12, students from IES La Laboral visited the Marine and Fisheries Interpretation Center of Tenerife, where they participated in an environmental project and cleanup activity.
On Thursday, March 13, a control campaign against rabo de gato (Cenchrus setaceus, an invasive grass species) was organized in Barranco Tahodio.
On Friday, March 14, an educational talk and a native species reforestation activity took place, led by IES El Sobradillo, within the Barranco La Monja renaturalization and ecoforest project.
On Saturday, March 15, two activities were organized within the Libera 1m² Barrancos project. In El Rosario, a cleanup walk was held in Barranco Berros-Bosque del Adelantado, while in Santa Cruz, a cleanup event took place in Barranco El Bufadero.
Additionally, a reforestation event was held in the Las Calderetas recreational area (El Sauzal).
On Sunday, March 16, the Libera 1m² Barrancos project continued with a cleanup operation in Barranco Colino (La Laguna).
Furthermore, ten activities were carried out under the RegeneraTE project, an initiative of Turismo de Tenerife, in cooperation with various municipalities.
Car fires reignite
News from Tenerife #22/5
Once again, a vehicle has been deliberately set on fire in southern Tenerife, and twenty rental cars from Cicarhave been vandalized.
It remains unclear whether this is the same arsonist responsible for burning a dozen cars in Los Cristianos a month ago—or twenty vehicles, if we include those set ablaze last October and November.
This week, another vehicle was randomly torched in Arona, precisely a month after twelve cars and a motorcyclewere destroyed in three major streets of this tourist area.
On March 5, twenty rental cars were vandalized in Costa Adeje, in a parking lot designated for rental vehicles.
Additionally, last week, several excavators were set on fire on the construction site of the controversial tourist project Cuna del Alma in Puertito de Adeje. This act was also recorded and shared on social media.
These events and developments have a significant impact on life in Tenerife, highlighting the diverse challenges, progress, and opportunities faced by the island.
Unknown © Photography
News from Tenerife #22 ©
More NEWS can be read [HERE].
Interested in Tenerife?
Subscribe to our newsletter and always stay informed about the news on Tenerife.
Enter your first name and a valid email address below. Then click on Subscribe.
 is published every week as a short news overview of the past week on your favorite website.){kind=link}