The number of homeless people is increasing, limiting access to Madrid Airport.
The company “Aena,” which operates airports in Spain, is set to restrict access to Madrid Airport during certain times of the day as a precautionary measure to prevent many homeless individuals from sleeping in its terminals.
Aena announced on Wednesday evening that only travelers with boarding passes, airport staff, and those accompanying ticket holders will be allowed to enter the airport during the hours when arrivals and departures are scheduled.
The company mentioned that these restrictions will be enforced in the coming days, but did not specify when exactly or during which hours of the day.
For months, the Spanish capital’s airport has witnessed the camping of homeless individuals in some of its terminals, with some sleeping in sleeping bags in spaces near walls and washrooms. Local media have reported that the number of homeless people is in the hundreds.
The airport operating company said this week that it had requested assistance from Madrid city officials months ago to address the issue, but has so far received insufficient help.
Aena added, “Airports are not designed for living; they are infrastructure intended solely for transport, which in no way provides suitable conditions for overnight stays.”
The political blame game among authorities at various levels of government has resulted in a significant lack of action before the peak summer travel season.
Spain welcomed a record number of international tourists totaling 94 million in 2024.
