News from Tenerife (#24) 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.
Wind shear forces several flight diversions in Tenerife
News from Tenerife #24/1
Air traffic at Tenerife South Airport is being disrupted this Sunday due to adverse weather conditions, with several flights being diverted to alternative airports. Specifically, three flights from Helsinki, Liverpool, and London-Gatwick have been rerouted to Gran Canaria. According to Aena, these incidents are due to unfavorable weather conditions affecting the area. The organization recommends that passengers check with their airline for updates on their flight status.
Air traffic controllers reported wind shear during approach to the airfield, leading several crews to abort their landing and opt for diversion. Wind shear is a sudden change in wind direction or intensity during descent, which can compromise the safety of approach and landing maneuvers.
These events are part of the adverse weather situation affecting the Canary Archipelago, where a pre-alert remains in effect for wind and coastal phenomena. It was issued by the Directorate General of Emergencies of the Government of the Canary Islands under the Specific Emergency Plan for Adverse Meteorological Phenomena (PEFMA). The Spanish meteorological agency Aemet has maintained yellow warnings for wind in mountain areas and exposed slopes of Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Tenerife, where gusts between 70 and 80 km/h are expected.
Canarians affected by the Coastal Law head to European court
News from Tenerife #24/2
Residents of Punta Larga and El Faro, in the municipality of Fuencaliente on La Palma, will file an appeal this week with the Court of Justice of the European Union against the application of Spain’s Coastal Law. Their aim is to halt the demolitions threatening their homes and to delay as much as possible the evictions that would affect about one hundred constructions housing around 300 people.
The recovery orders for these homes were issued in 2005. After an appeal in 2021, the forced execution was confirmed, since the buildings are located on public domain land. To halt the demolitions, urban planning authorities should have previously requested a report from the Central Government to determine whether the land could be considered urban, but this was not done at the time.
The Court of Justice of the European Union could take various decisions after reviewing the residents’ appeal. One possible outcome is the temporary suspension of demolitions if the court finds sufficient reason to question the legality of the Coastal Law’s application. This would give affected residents a pause while the case is resolved. Another possibility is a review of Spanish legislation if the court determines that Spain is violating EU law. This could lead to amendments to the Coastal Law and the introduction of alternative solutions. On the other hand, if the appeal is dismissed, the demolitions would proceed under the current legal framework.
The Coastal Law, a Spanish regulation designed to protect the coastline, states that buildings located on maritime-terrestrial public domain land are illegal, as is the case in Fuencaliente. According to the law, such homes cannot be regularized or legalized, leading to demolition orders aimed at restoring public coastal access and removing private constructions from the shore.
Ryanair changes its rules on hand luggage
News from Tenerife #24/3
Low-cost airline Ryanair has announced a series of important changes to its baggage policy and boarding process, which will affect all passengers as of November 5, 2025. Among the most notable updates are the complete elimination of paper tickets and a reduction in the size of hand luggage allowed at no additional cost.
According to Ryanair’s announcement, from that date only digital boarding passes will be accepted, requiring passengers to have their ticket downloaded on a mobile device. The second major change concerns the size of free hand luggage, which may not exceed 40 x 20 x 25 centimeters. Any bag that surpasses these measurements will incur a surcharge that increases from €60 to €70 per journey.
These updates are part of a common trend among low-cost airlines, which regularly adjust their operational policies to optimize costs and generate additional revenue. In this case, Ryanair aims to reinforce its business model by limiting certain free services and encouraging the advance purchase of extras such as Priority Boarding, which allows a second piece of hand luggage, but only if booked in advance.
This decision makes Ryanair one of the strictest airlines regarding free hand luggage. In contrast to traditional airlines such as Iberia or Air Europa, which allow bags up to 55 x 40 x 20 cm at no extra cost, low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Vueling have tightened their rules, prompting many passengers to reconsider their options when planning travel.
Ryanair reminds passengers that failing to comply with these rules could result in additional charges of up to €100 or even missing the flight. Therefore, it is strongly advised to carefully review the baggage policy before flying. These differences between airlines regarding luggage are becoming increasingly relevant when comparing the real cost of a ticket, as added services can significantly affect the final price of the trip.
Drug-detecting bracelets distributed at Los Cristianos Carnival
News from Tenerife #24/4
In a groundbreaking initiative, the Arona Town Council is distributing 3,100 innovative drug-detecting bracelets during the Los Cristianos Carnival. These user-friendly bracelets allow attendees to test their drinks by simply dipping a finger into the beverage and swiping it across the bracelet’s built-in test area. Within moments, the test reveals its result: if it turns orange, it signals the presence of drugs in the drink. This is the first-of-its-kind measure in the Canary Islands, aiming to prevent incidents of chemical submission and offer festival-goers a simple way to ensure their drinks are safe.
Studies show that one in three sexual assaults is linked to chemical submission, and in nine out of ten cases, the victims are women. This device significantly improves the safety of our Carnival attendees. Available at the ‘Punto Violeta,’ these ‘sentinel bracelets’ feature a QR code that not only acts as a geolocation tool but also provides access to an interactive resource guide. They are capable of detecting over 20 types of drugs with just a drop of the beverage, offering an early warning against potential dangers.
Specifically, the bracelet conducts two tests: the first can identify up to 22 different drugs, while the second targets GHB – the most commonly used chemical substance in sexual assault cases – which is a potent central nervous system depressant. Additionally, the bracelet’s connectivity with mobile phones enables it to automatically call emergency services or relevant authorities, reinforcing its role as a safety tool during the festivities.
19 people arrested in Tenerife for fraudulent property sales
News from Tenerife #24/5
A criminal network involved in the fraudulent appropriation and sale of properties has been dismantled in Tenerife by the National Police. The operation resulted in the arrest of 19 individuals, two of whom have been remanded in custody. The investigation, conducted in collaboration with the Territorial Management of the Land Registry in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, led to the seizure of forged documents, electronic devices, and 40.77 kilograms of hashish.
Authorities launched the investigation after receiving complaints from several victims who reported the illegal occupation of their homes by squatters. The suspects allegedly changed locks and presented forged documents at notary offices to simulate property sales, registering ownership in their own names before selling the properties to unsuspecting buyers.
The criminal organization focused on abandoned homes or properties owned by elderly individuals, deceased persons, or absentee landlords. With the help of intermediaries experienced in the real estate sector, they orchestrated fraudulent sales through notary offices. These layered transactions made the fraud more difficult to detect.
To give an appearance of legitimacy, the group paid people to pose as buyers or sellers. These individuals would testify before notaries, falsely claiming to have paid in cash for the properties, without offering any proof of payment. Investigators confirmed that the group had unlawfully registered 18 properties across Tenerife, including a luxury villa located in an exclusive area of Santa Cruz. In one notable case, the group attempted to register the sale of a property for €120,000, despite its official cadastral value being €1.3 million. The estimated total value of the fraud exceeds €2.8 million.
In February, a coordinated police operation was carried out involving eight simultaneous raids in various municipalities, including Santa Cruz, La Laguna, Arico, Granadilla, and Güímar. During these searches, police seized critical documents, electronic devices, 40.77 kilograms of hashish packaged for distribution, and a precision scale used for drug weighing. The arrested individuals were brought before a judge, who ordered two of them to be held in prison.
The National Police remain committed to fighting organized crime and are continuing their investigation to uncover potential connections between real estate companies and the criminal network. Their goal is to prevent further fraudulent activity and protect future property buyers from falling victim to similar scams.
These events and developments have a significant impact on life in Tenerife, highlighting the diverse challenges, progress, and opportunities faced by the island.
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News from Tenerife #24 ©
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