Chaos for travellers as major Spanish airport 'fumigated' after infestation
Complaints reportedly forced the airport's management to hire a pest control company to deal with affected areas.
Madrid's International Airport has reportedly been fumigated after hordes of biting insects infested the terminals. Staff at the busy airport claim they have been bitten by the insects in recent weeks.
Several employees at Barajas Airport, one of Spain's most important transport hubs, are believed to have photographic evidence of their bites, forcing airport management to take action following a number of complaints from worried staff. A pest control company was quickly called in and several areas in the airport have been fumigated.
According to reports, fumigators sanitised baggage claim belts as well as corridors and furniture in the hope of banishing the infestation. They hope the swift action will get the problem under control ahead of holiday season.
Airport management have also recently declared war on homeless people that are sleeping at the airport for shelter overnight. Many are believed to be sheltering in check-in and baggage areas.
According to Caritas charity, 421 homeless people are sleeping inside Terminal 4, reports the Express.
Caritas is the Catholic Church's official organisation in Spain for charity and social relief, instituted by the Spanish Episcopal Conference.
The number seeking refuge at the airport has increased following the end of municipal-funded campaigns during the winter to provide greater help and relief to those sleeping rough.
Aid workers have accused AENA—the management company responsible for running Madrid's airport—of introducing measures designed to deter the homeless from using the airport as an overnight shelter.
Measures adopted include access restrictions, changes in air conditioning to make overnight stays more uncomfortable, and the removal of furniture such as benches in the most frequented areas of the terminal.
Gaspar García, a coordinator of the NGO Bokatas, said the airport management has prevented their staff from entering the terminal to help the homeless.
The charity distributes food and hygiene kits to areas frequented by the homeless and has been doing this humanitarian work for six years.
AENA officials have met a number of times with representatives from the charity to ask them to stop their activities, arguing they are encouraging the homeless to decamp at the airport.
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"They tell us we bring them by distributing food, but these people aren't here because we give them a sandwich," García said.
He added that airport security personnel are demanding that people show their plane tickets to gain access to terminals.
"They do this with those they already know are homeless; they don't ask anything from others," he said.
"These decisions have only created more conflict. Previously, they were dispersed. Many dressed well and blended in with passengers; they sat down to sleep, got up and left without bothering anyone.
"But now, having to lie on cardboard on the floor changes perceptions and makes them more likely to be singled out."
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