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Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Wales Online
Spain cracks down on 'unsafe' and 'unhealthy' behaviour at country's airports
Spain cracks down on 'unsafe' and 'unhealthy' behaviour at country's airports Around 400 people are believed to be sleeping at Madrid's Barajas Airport every night, prompting the airport operator to employ a private security firm to address the growing issue Members of the Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (SEPLA) are set to go on strike (Image: Europa Press 2023/Getty ) UK holidaymakers are set to experience a significant shift at Spanish airports, as EU transport hubs implement new access restrictions between 9pm and 5am. At Madrid-Barajas Airport, approximately 400 people have been found to be using the airport as a makeshift overnight shelter, leaving during the day and returning at night to sleep. To curb this issue, Madrid's main airport has contracted a private security firm to counteract the increasing problem of homeless people staying in its terminals after hours. The establishment, operated by AENA, is boosting its security teams and setting limitations on nighttime entry, with particular emphasis on Terminal 4. Curbing access involves limiting entrance to solely five points from 9pm to 5am. With doors remaining open at only five access points across Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and an additional four in Terminal 4, AENA aims to tackle what it describes as "unsafe and unhealthy" circumstances by enhancing its squad of private security officers with an extra 22 members to uphold the fresh regulations. Sign up for our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here. Israel Vellisca, a representative for the Federation of Mobility and Consumer Services (Fesmc) of UGT Madrid, said: "This is not a train or metro station with set closure hours.", reports Birmingham Live. Article continues below Union sources have stressed, "Any restriction on access to a public space must be justified and documented". The CCOO union section at Aena has raised concerns about "the serious situation that both workers and airport users have been suffering for months, due to the continued and growing presence of homeless people staying in various areas of the airport facilities, especially in the passenger terminals and transit areas.". "This is a social problem, not a labor issue," Vellisca pointed out. "Madrid Airport is the first and last image tourists have of Spain. "We need a long-term, humane solution that involves public institutions, social organizations, and proper support services." Article continues below The union has reported receiving multiple complaints from workers from different groups, including cleaning, security, handling, customer service, shops, and catering, alleging unsanitary conditions, persistent smells, the use of restrooms as overnight areas, accumulation of belongings, occasional aggression, and a lack of effective intervention by the competent authorities.
Arab Times
18-05-2025
- Arab Times
In Spain, a homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
MADRID, May 18, (AP): Every morning at 6 am, Teresa sets out in search of work, a shower and a bit of exercise before she returns home. For around six months, that has been Terminal 4 of Madrid's international airport. Teresa, 54, who didn't want her full name to be used because of safety concerns, is one of the estimated hundreds of homeless people sleeping in the Spanish capital's airport amid a growing housing crisis in Spain, where rental costs have risen especially fast in cities like Madrid, the country's capital, and Barcelona. She and others sleeping at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport - the third-busiest airport in Europe in 2023, according to Eurostat - described a situation where for months, authorities have neither helped them find other living arrangements nor have they kicked them out from the corners of the airport that they have occupied with sleeping bags unfurled on the floor as well as blankets, shopping carts and bags. Soon, things could change. Spain's airport operator AENA this week said that it would start limiting who can enter Madrid's airport during low-travel hours by asking visitors to show their boarding passes. AENA said that the policy would take effect in the next few days, but didn't specify exactly when. It said that exceptions would be made for airport workers and anyone accompanying a traveler. Teresa, a Spanish-Ecuadorian who said she has lived in Spain for a quarter-century, told The Associated Press on Thursday that she hadn't heard of the new policy. She and her husband would be forced to sleep outside on park benches and other public spaces if they aren't allowed back in. "We can't make demands. We're squatters,' Teresa said, using a controversial term common in Spain. "Squatters in what is private property. We are aware of that. We want help from authorities, but not a single one has come here.' For months, a political blame game between officials at different levels of government has meant that the homeless encampments in the airport have largely gone unaddressed. In recent weeks, videos on social media and news reports of the airport's homeless population put a spotlight on the issue. Madrid's city council on Thursday said that it had asked Spain's national government to take charge and come up with a plan to rehabilitate every homeless individual sleeping in the airport. Spanish airports are overseen by AENA, a state-owned publicly listed company. A city council spokesperson said that Madrid's city government had recently called for a meeting with officials from AENA, the regional government of Madrid and several national ministries that declined.
Boston Globe
17-05-2025
- Boston Globe
In Spain, a homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
Soon, things could change. Advertisement Spain's airport operator AENA this week said that it would start limiting who can enter Madrid's airport during low-travel hours by asking visitors to show their boarding passes. AENA said that the policy would take effect in the next few days, but didn't specify exactly when. It said that exceptions would be made for airport workers and anyone accompanying a traveler. Teresa, a Spanish-Ecuadorian who said she has lived in Spain for a quarter-century, told The Associated Press on Thursday that she hadn't heard of the new policy. She and her husband would be forced to sleep outside on park benches and other public spaces if they aren't allowed back in. Advertisement 'We can't make demands. We're squatters,' Teresa said, using a controversial term common in Spain. 'Squatters in what is private property. We are aware of that. We want help from authorities, but not a single one has come here.' For months, a political blame game between officials at different levels of government has meant that the homeless encampments in the airport have largely gone unaddressed. In recent weeks, videos on social media and news reports of the airport's homeless population put a spotlight on the issue. Madrid's city council on Thursday said that it had asked Spain's national government to take charge and come up with a plan to rehabilitate every homeless individual sleeping in the airport. Spanish airports are overseen by AENA, a state-owned publicly listed company. A city council spokesperson said that Madrid's city government had recently called for a meeting with officials from AENA, the regional government of Madrid and several national ministries that declined. 'Without them, there is no possible solution,' said Lucía Martín, a spokesperson for Madrid's city council division of social policies, family and equality. She said that the national ministries of transport, interior, inclusion, social rights and health declined to participate in a working group. A day earlier, AENA accused Madrid's city authorities of providing inadequate help and said that the city government's statements about the unfolding situation confirmed its 'dereliction of duty' and abandonment of the airport's homeless individuals. 'It's like a dog chasing its tail,' said Marta Cecilia Cárdenas of the long list of authorities she was told could help her. Cárdenas, a 58-year-old homeless woman originally from Colombia, said that she had spent several months sleeping in Madrid's airport. Advertisement It's not known how many people are sleeping in Madrid's airport, through which 66 million travelers transited last year. Spain's El País newspaper reported that a recent count taken by a charity group identified roughly 400 homeless people in the airport, many of whom, like Teresa, had previously lived in Madrid and were employed in some capacity. AP wasn't able to confirm that number. Madrid city council officials, meanwhile, said that the Spanish capital's social service teams had helped 94 individuals in April with ties to the city, 12 of whom were rehabilitated into municipal shelters, addiction treatment centers or independent living. Teresa said she had heard about sleeping in the airport by word of mouth. Before she lost her job, she said she lived in an apartment in Madrid's Leganés neighborhood, earning a living taking care of older people. She currently earns 400 euros ($450) per month, working under the table caring for an older woman. With the earnings, Teresa said she maintains a storage unit in the neighborhood that she used to live in. Though the work is sporadic, she said it was still enough to also cover fees for the gym in which she showers daily, pay for transportation, and purchase food. Over the last decade, the average rent in Spain has almost doubled, according to real estate website Idealista, with steeper increases in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain also has a smaller public housing stock than many other European Union countries. Teresa said that she hopes to find a job soon and leave the airport, whatever authorities may force her to do in the coming days and weeks. She and her husband keep to themselves, avoiding others sleeping in the brightly-lit hallway dotted with sleeping bags who were battling mental health problems, addiction and other issues, she said. Advertisement 'You end up adjusting to it a bit, accepting it even, but never getting used to it,' Teresa said over the constant din of airline announcements. 'I hope to God that it gets better, because this is not life.'
Economic Times
17-05-2025
- Economic Times
In Spain, homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
Hundreds of homeless individuals, like Teresa, are residing in Madrid's airport due to Spain's escalating housing crisis, marked by soaring rental costs. Despite the airport's awareness, authorities haven't offered alternative housing or evicted them, sparking a political blame game. The airport plans to restrict entry, potentially forcing them onto the streets, while Teresa hopes for employment to escape this predicament. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Limits on entry Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Political blame game Exact numbers are unknown Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Word of mouth Hope for the future Every morning at 6 am, Teresa sets out in search of work, a shower and a bit of exercise before she returns home. For around six months, that has been Terminal 4 of Madrid 's international airport. Teresa, 54, who didn't want her full name to be used because of safety concerns, is one of the estimated hundreds of homeless people sleeping in the Spanish capital's airport amid a growing housing crisis in Spain, where rental costs have risen especially fast in cities like Madrid, the country's capital, and and others sleeping at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport - the third-busiest airport in Europe in 2023, according to Eurostat - described a situation where for months, authorities have neither helped them find other living arrangements nor have they kicked them out from the corners of the airport that they have occupied with sleeping bags unfurled on the floor as well as blankets, shopping carts and things could airport operator AENA this week said that it would start limiting who can enter Madrid's airport during low-travel hours by asking visitors to show their boarding passes. AENA said that the policy would take effect in the next few days, but didn't specify exactly when. It said that exceptions would be made for airport workers and anyone accompanying a a Spanish-Ecuadorian who said she has lived in Spain for a quarter-century, told The Associated Press on Thursday that she hadn't heard of the new policy. She and her husband would be forced to sleep outside on park benches and other public spaces if they aren't allowed back in."We can't make demands. We're squatters," Teresa said, using a controversial term common in Spain. "Squatters in what is private property. We are aware of that. We want help from authorities, but not a single one has come here."For months, a political blame game between officials at different levels of government has meant that the homeless encampments in the airport have largely gone unaddressed. In recent weeks, videos on social media and news reports of the airport's homeless population put a spotlight on the city council on Thursday said that it had asked Spain's national government to take charge and come up with a plan to rehabilitate every homeless individual sleeping in the airport. Spanish airports are overseen by AENA, a state-owned publicly listed company. A city council spokesperson said that Madrid's city government had recently called for a meeting with officials from AENA, the regional government of Madrid and several national ministries that declined."Without them, there is no possible solution," said Lucia Martin, a spokesperson for Madrid's city council division of social policies, family and equality. She said that the national ministries of transport, interior, inclusion, social rights and health declined to participate in a working group.A day earlier, AENA accused Madrid's city authorities of providing inadequate help and said that the city government's statements about the unfolding situation confirmed its "dereliction of duty" and abandonment of the airport's homeless individuals."It's like a dog chasing its tail," said Marta Cecilia Cardenas of the long list of authorities she was told could help her. Cardenas, a 58-year-old homeless woman originally from Colombia, said that she had spent several months sleeping in Madrid's not known how many people are sleeping in Madrid's airport, through which 66 million travellers transited last year. Spain's El Pais newspaper reported that a recent count taken by a charity group identified roughly 400 homeless people in the airport, many of whom, like Teresa, had previously lived in Madrid and were employed in some wasn't able to confirm that number. Madrid city council officials, meanwhile, said that the Spanish capital's social service teams had helped 94 individuals in April with ties to the city, 12 of whom were rehabilitated into municipal shelters, addiction treatment centres or independent said she had heard about sleeping in the airport by word of mouth. Before she lost her job, she said she lived in an apartment in Madrid's Leganes neighbourhood, earning a living taking care of older currently earns 400 euros (USD450) per month, working under the table caring for an older woman. With the earnings, Teresa said she maintains a storage unit in the neighbourhood that she used to live in. Though the work is sporadic, she said it was still enough to also cover fees for the gym in which she showers daily, pay for transportation, and purchase the last decade, the average rent in Spain has almost doubled, according to real estate website Idealista, with steeper increases in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain also has a smaller public housing stock than many other European Union said that she hopes to find a job soon and leave the airport, whatever authorities may force her to do in the coming days and weeks. She and her husband keep to themselves, avoiding others sleeping in the brightly-lit hallway dotted with sleeping bags who were battling mental health problems, addiction and other issues, she said."You end up adjusting to it a bit, accepting it even, but never getting used to it," Teresa said over the constant din of airline announcements. "I hope to God that it gets better, because this is not life."
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Business Standard
17-05-2025
- Business Standard
In Spain, growing homelessness crisis unfolds inside Madrid airport
Every morning at 6 am, Teresa sets out in search of work, a shower and a bit of exercise before she returns home. For around six months, that has been Terminal 4 of Madrid's international airport. Teresa, 54, who didn't want her full name to be used because of safety concerns, is one of the estimated hundreds of homeless people sleeping in the Spanish capital's airport amid a growing housing crisis in Spain, where rental costs have risen especially fast in cities like Madrid, the country's capital, and Barcelona. She and others sleeping at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport the third-busiest airport in Europe in 2023, according to Eurostat described a situation where for months, authorities have neither helped them find other living arrangements nor have they kicked them out from the corners of the airport that they have occupied with sleeping bags unfurled on the floor as well as blankets, shopping carts and bags. Soon, things could change. Limits on entry Spain's airport operator AENA this week said that it would start limiting who can enter Madrid's airport during low-travel hours by asking visitors to show their boarding passes. AENA said that the policy would take effect in the next few days, but didn't specify exactly when. It said that exceptions would be made for airport workers and anyone accompanying a traveller. Teresa, a Spanish-Ecuadorian who said she has lived in Spain for a quarter-century, told The Associated Press on Thursday that she hadn't heard of the new policy. She and her husband would be forced to sleep outside on park benches and other public spaces if they aren't allowed back in. We can't make demands. We're squatters, Teresa said, using a controversial term common in Spain. Squatters in what is private property. We are aware of that. We want help from authorities, but not a single one has come here. Political blame game For months, a political blame game between officials at different levels of government has meant that the homeless encampments in the airport have largely gone unaddressed. In recent weeks, videos on social media and news reports of the airport's homeless population put a spotlight on the issue. Madrid's city council on Thursday said that it had asked Spain's national government to take charge and come up with a plan to rehabilitate every homeless individual sleeping in the airport. Spanish airports are overseen by AENA, a state-owned publicly listed company. A city council spokesperson said that Madrid's city government had recently called for a meeting with officials from AENA, the regional government of Madrid and several national ministries that declined. Without them, there is no possible solution, said Luca Martn, a spokesperson for Madrid's city council division of social policies, family and equality. She said that the national ministries of transport, interior, inclusion, social rights and health declined to participate in a working group. A day earlier, AENA accused Madrid's city authorities of providing inadequate help and said that the city government's statements about the unfolding situation confirmed its dereliction of duty and abandonment of the airport's homeless individuals. It's like a dog chasing its tail, said Marta Cecilia Crdenas of the long list of authorities she was told could help her. Crdenas, a 58-year-old homeless woman originally from Colombia, said that she had spent several months sleeping in Madrid's airport. Exact numbers are unknown It's not known how many people are sleeping in Madrid's airport, through which 66 million travellers transited last year. Spain's El Pas newspaper reported that a recent count taken by a charity group identified roughly 400 homeless people in the airport, many of whom, like Teresa, had previously lived in Madrid and were employed in some capacity. AP wasn't able to confirm that number. Madrid city council officials, meanwhile, said that the Spanish capital's social service teams had helped 94 individuals in April with ties to the city, 12 of whom were rehabilitated into municipal shelters, addiction treatment centres or independent living. Word of mouth Teresa said she had heard about sleeping in the airport by word of mouth. Before she lost her job, she said she lived in an apartment in Madrid's Legans neighbourhood, earning a living taking care of older people. She currently earns 400 euros (USD450) per month, working under the table caring for an older woman. With the earnings, Teresa said she maintains a storage unit in the neighbourhood that she used to live in. Though the work is sporadic, she said it was still enough to also cover fees for the gym in which she showers daily, pay for transportation, and purchase food. Over the last decade, the average rent in Spain has almost doubled, according to real estate website Idealista, with steeper increases in Madrid and Barcelona. Spain also has a smaller public housing stock than many other European Union countries. Hope for the future Teresa said that she hopes to find a job soon and leave the airport, whatever authorities may force her to do in the coming days and weeks. She and her husband keep to themselves, avoiding others sleeping in the brightly-lit hallway dotted with sleeping bags who were battling mental health problems, addiction and other issues, she said. You end up adjusting to it a bit, accepting it even, but never getting used to it, Teresa said over the constant din of airline announcements. I hope to God that it gets better, because this is not life.
