Reina Sofia - otherwise known as Tenerife South Airport

The decision to build the airport now known as Reina Sofia on Tenerife was decided at the end of the 1970s, as it was thought that Los Rodeos, in the north, was too susceptible to adverse weather conditions.

This was manifested in the terrible disaster, the worst in aviation history, that took place at the north airport in 1977, which was partly due to the presence of fog.

Photo: Guanxito

Two years later, the Tenerife South Airport, as it is now more correctly known, was built at sea level, to avoid possibility of such things as fog. It was inaugurated by Queen Sofia and took her name. Immediately, the airport was flying passengers to many international destinations, was designated a special top-category airport, open 24 hours a day.

Since then, around 140 million travellers have passed through.

Reina Sofia is nearly forty miles from Santa Cruz, but only just over ten miles from Los Cristianos and the other tourist centres in the south.

Photo: Sven Laux

FACILITIES

Shops

Fashion

• Gonzalo Comella - fashion and accessories
• La Perla del Sur - jewellery
• Zona Zero - leather goods such as shoes, bags, belts etc
• Kids - childrens store with brand name clothes and toys
• The Gift Shop - jewellery, watches and lingerie, etc

Food

• Casa Ricardo - sweets, nibbles and small toys
• The Sweet Point - sweets and chocolate
• El Regalo Mas Natural - a banana shop!
• Thinking Tenerife - traditional Canary Island produce, such asmojo sauce, wines, rum and cold meats

Relay - newsagents, selling papers, magazines and books

Canariensis - a shopping centre selling drinks, tobacco, perfume, accessories and souvenirs

Dufry - a duty-free shop

Gift shops

• Arte - textiles, wood and precious stones
• Magic Canarias, 1 and 2 - accessories for the home
• LMV - fresh and dried flowers

Bars and restaurants

• The "Bill Bentley" - a bar styled after a British pub, also serving light bites
• Cafe Ritazza 1 and 2 - serving coffee, fruit juices, plus various sandwiches and cakes...and spirits!
• Cafe Select - offering hot-dogs, burgers, pizzas, sandwiches and ice cream, plus drinks, in a British pub setting
• Ibense Bornay - ice cream parlour also serving pastries, cakes and baguettes, plus coffee and fruit juices
• Carlsberg - coffee and alcoholic drinks, plus tapas
• To Go - coffee and fruit juices, along with rolls and cakes...plus spirits again!

Miscellaneous

• Post Office
• Chapel
• Pharmacy
• Multidenominational Lounge (Not sure what that is - they call it that on their official website)
• Exhibition Hall
• Banking facilities and bureau de change

The airport is fully equipped for wheelchair access all areas

airport information telephone 922 759000/759510

TOURIST INFORMATION OFFICE

Photo: Tenerife News Online

Reina Sofia Airport now boasts a tourist information office outside the terminal building.

You'll encounter it as you exit the building, having just arrived and, as can be seen from the photo, it is hard to miss!

It provides four large video screens, each showing information on different subjects. These range from culture, to the attractions of Mount Teide and the natural beauty of the island.

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