Latest news with #LanzaroteAirport
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Fighter jets deployed in Portugal after commercial plane declares 'bomb threat'
The plane landed at Lanzarote Airport after receiving help from the Portuguese Air Force. Air force jets were scrambled to the skies this morning in Portugal after a bomb threat was detected on a plane as it crossed national air space. Two fighter jets were sent to help support a commercial plane, believed to be heading to Spain, as it received emergency assistance from the authorities in Monte Real. The air force located the plane after a bomb threat was reported. It was set to divert to Faro Airport, however it managed to land at the intended place, Lanzarote Airport. The Mirror reports that a Portuguese Air Force spokesperson said: "This morning, at 9:00 am, the Air Force activated the F-16M alert pair after a civilian aircraft declared a potential bomb threat on board when crossing national airspace, intending to divert to Faro Airport. "For the mission, two F-16Ms took off from Air Base No. 5, in Monte Real, on permanent alert. With the F-16Ms already monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and good management of national airspace, the crew of the civilian aircraft decided to continue the flight to the destination airport, outside national territory. "Upon leaving the national flight information region, responsibility passed to Spain, with the Portuguese F-16Ms carrying out the handover of the mission and subsequent return to Monte Real. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "The Air Force guarantees a permanent alert of F-16M for national air defense, responding to all situations to guarantee national sovereignty and good management and safety of air traffic, in strict compliance with national and international recommendations." This comes after reports suggested the head of the RAF is set to be appointed as the new chief of the British armed forces, according to reports. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton is thought to be in line to be the next Chief of Defence Staff. The position is currently held by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the role since 2021. According to his biography on the Government website, Sir Richard joined the RAF in 1989 as a university cadet, and served as deputy chief of the defence staff from 2019 to 2022. The appointment comes as the Government has pledged to increase defence spending in the UK to 2.5% of gross domestic product on defence from April 2027, with a goal of increasing that to 3% over the next parliament, a timetable which could stretch to 2034. The Ministry of Defence said: 'This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing and any announcement will be made in the usual way.'
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Canary Island airport chaos forces urgent meeting as Brits stuck in horror queues
A lack of "human and material resources" has resulted in length queues at this Canary Island airport. Now, the Island Council President has proposed a meeting to get things back on track. Recent chaos at César Manrique-Lanzarote airport has promoted coordinated efforts to upgrade the travel hub. British tourists arriving at Lanzarote airport have faced an 'uncomfortable and chaotic experience' which has elicited a response from the President of the Island Council in Lanzarote. President Oswaldo Betancort has requested a meeting with Spain's airport authority AENA to discuss the future of César Manrique Airport (also known as Arrecife Airport). According to Betancort, there are insufficient police on duty at the airport, which is the tenth-largest in the country by volume of passengers and third in the Canary Islands. The airport authority AENA already has plans to remodel the airport in 2026 with a budget of €140 million (£118.5 million). AENA's construction plan will include the extension and renovation of the Terminal 1 check-in, boarding and security zones. The renovation will also effectively join both of Lanzarote Airport's two terminals. Separate from the AENA renovation, the Island Council is also planning work on the airport zone and the LZ-2 main road. Because of this confluence, Betancort has proposed a meeting with AENA to coordinate efforts. Speaking of the Island Council project, Betancort shared: 'We want the remodelling of the airport terminal area to be inspired by the Lanzarote landscape and the spirit of César Manrique's work, with an architectural proposal that engages with the surroundings.' While the meeting is meant to help coordinate both construction efforts, Betancourt also reportedly plans to raise the subject of the long queues that have resulted from a shortage of border officers. 'It is unacceptable that residents and visitors have to endure long waits due to insufficient staff at security checkpoints. More human and material resources are needed to guarantee efficient operation,' says the Island Council President. The reputation of Lanzarote airport has suffered in recent years due to multiple complaints about the time it takes to retrieve luggage and get through passport control. British tourists have shared that getting through these checkpoints can take about an hour and is usually followed by long waits for a taxi. Lanzarote residents agree there is a "significant mismatch" between supply and demand of taxis at the airport. The local authorities say creating a digitalised service is the way forward and is thus beginning talks with the taxi association. The Mirror's Victoria Chessum recently traveled through Lanzarote Airport and experienced some of the chaos. She wrote: "I visited Lanzarote out of peak-season, and therefore ignorantly expected the airport to at least be manageable in terms of queues. 'While checking-in was super easy, along with bag-drop, navigating the small and disproportionate terminal building was not. Armed with a sleepy toddler, a pram, and a few hand luggage bags, the whole experience quickly escalated into something of a nightmare." Recent figures suggest César Manrique-Lanzarote airport was designed to accomodate nine million passengers, a figure that was nearly reached in 2024 with 8.7million recorded visitors. According to Canarian Weekly, this demonstrated a 6.1% increase from 2023. Reportedly, tourism figures have already seen an uptick in February 2025, with big arrivals expected for the approaching summer. The implementation of the European Commission's new Entry/Exit System is also expected to add to the queuing times at high-traffic borders across the continent. Non-EU travellers will be required to register their biometric data with passport control officers—including facial and fingerprint recognition—the first time they enter the EU after the new system is in place in October.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Daily Record
Canary Island holidaymakers warned they face 'unacceptable' chaos on arrival at airport
Tourists have been warned of lengthy delays when they land. When you land at your destination on holiday, the aim is getting through customs and collecting your bags as swiftly as you can so your break can finally begin. But tourists landing at one Canary Island airport have been warned they face an 'uncomfortable and chaotic' experience. Passengers to Lanzarote Airport, the third busiest airport on the Canaries by volume of passengers, has been marred by slow baggage collection, lengthy taxi queues and insufficient police on duty. The island's president has now demanded action. President Oswaldo Betancort has asked for an urgent meeting with the Spanish airport authority, AENA, to address the issues causing lengthy delays at César Manrique-Lanzarote Airport. Betancort said there are insufficient police on duty at the airport, which is the tenth busiest in the country by volume of passengers with nearly 800,000 in March alone. The airport has been the subject of numerous complaints in recent years, both for the time it takes to get luggage and then to go through passport controls. Tourists say this takes about an hour and is followed by another lengthy wait for a taxi. Queues often snake around the concourse as passengers with their suitcases wait for more taxis to arrive, reports the Mirror. One holidaymaker recently back in the UK after a break in Lanzarote said: "We were very shocked at the taxi situation at the airport. It took us about an hour to get through passports and to collect our luggage, so we were looking forward to getting to our hotel. "However, we were shocked to find a really massive queue at the taxi rank which literally snaked around the concourse. We had absolutely no choice but to join that queue, which must have been at least 300 people. "It took us 55 minutes in total to get a taxi, which did nothing for our mood or Lanzarote's reputation! "When we asked a taxi driver what the problem was, he said there were not enough taxis to cope with the number of arrivals. The time, we must point out, was 7.30pm, so probably not even the busiest time of the day." Local residents agree there is a "significant mismatch" between supply and demand and that something needs to be done. The authorities say creating a digitalised service is the way ahead, which is why it is opening a round of talks with the taxi association. Of the lack of police officers at the airport, Mr Betancort said:" It is unacceptable that residents and visitors have to endure long waits due to insufficient staff at security checkpoints. More human and material resources are needed to guarantee efficient operation." There are currently plans to expand the airport, to improve operational efficiency and quality of service. According to the Airport's Master Plan, the objective is to expand and remodel Terminal 1 to improve quality, also expanding the check-in, boarding and security control areas. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Likewise, terminals 1 and 2 will also be connected in the boarding area, once the security control has been passed. The Mirror's Victoria Chessum recently traveled through Lanzarote Airport and experienced some of the chaos. "She wrote: "I visited Lanzarote out of peak-season, and therefore ignorantly expected the airport to at least be manageable in terms of queues. While checking-in was super easy, along with bag-drop, navigating the small and disproportionate terminal building was not. "Armed with a sleepy toddler, a pram, and a few hand luggage bags, the whole experience quickly escalated into something of a nightmare."
The Independent
14-04-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
What tourists need to know about the Lanzarote floods
Heavy rainfall and flooding caused by Storm Olivier have impacted Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, particularly the towns of Costa Teguise, San Bartolomé, and Arrecife. Though some hotels experienced power outages and roads were affected by mud, Lanzarote Airport is operating normally. The UK Foreign Office has not advised against travel to Lanzarote, but recommends monitoring local weather updates and following local authority advice. The state of emergency declared in Lanzarote has been lifted, and no injuries have been reported. Cancellations and refunds for pre-booked trips are dependent on individual holiday providers and insurance policies, as the Foreign Office has not issued a travel warning.
