Cabildo Urges AENA to Expedite Tenerife South Airport Tender Process
Rosa Dávila, President of the Cabildo de Tenerife, expressed disappointment after the tender for the renovation of Tenerife South Airport was declared void. She has called on AENA, Spain’s airport operator, to investigate the reasons behind the failed bids and revise the tender conditions to enable a swift re-launch of the project.
In discussions with AENA’s Executive Vice President, Javier Marín, Dávila stressed that this setback should not delay the planned execution of the works. She emphasised the need for AENA to adapt the tender process to current market conditions, particularly since previous requirements focused heavily on price rather than suitability.
“This project is highly complex, expected to last eight years and requiring over €500 million in investment,” Dávila noted, insisting that the conditions should reflect the challenges of maintaining airport operations throughout the works.
Lope Afonso, Vice President and Tourism Councillor of the Cabildo, reiterated the importance of having critical infrastructure operating smoothly, particularly given the high passenger traffic at Tenerife’s airports. He remarked on the frustration of the tender being left void after years of advocacy for improved facilities.
Afonso also pointed out the need for a swift review of the tender documents to make them more appealing to bidders. He called for decisive political action to adapt public procurement laws to meet current market realities, where labour shortages and other cost factors are discouraging competition in public works tenders.
Dávila highlighted that the airport is a vital asset for tourism in Tenerife and the wider Canary Islands and has been under significant pressure to enhance its capacity and services. She urged AENA to take into account the ongoing geopolitical tensions and fluctuations in commodity and fuel prices when redesigning the tender conditions.
The Cabildo remains hopeful that AENA will review the situation and create a clear timeline to resume the tender process.
