Latest news with #AdolfoSuárezMadrid-BarajasAirport
San Francisco Chronicle
17-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
In Spain, a homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
MADRID (AP) — Every morning at 6 a.m., 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. 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 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.' 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 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. Exact numbers are unknown 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. 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 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. 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.'
Winnipeg Free Press
17-05-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
In Spain, a homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
MADRID (AP) — Every morning at 6 a.m., 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. 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 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.' 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 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. Exact numbers are unknown 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. 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 Leganés neighborhood, earning a living taking care of older people. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 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. 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.'
Scottish Sun
15-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Major Brit holiday airport fumigated after infestation of BEDBUGS with passengers & airline staff reporting itchy bites
Experts say these critters are notable by being oval in shape, flat, brownish-red in colour and around the size of an apple pip ITCHING FOR A HOLIDAY Major Brit holiday airport fumigated after infestation of BEDBUGS with passengers & airline staff reporting itchy bites Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR Brit holiday airport had to be fumigated after a bedbug infestation, with passengers and airline staff reporting itchy bites The largest airport in Spain, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, has been hit with an apparent bedbug outbreak. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Bed bugs crawl around in a container on display during the 2nd National Bed Bug Summit in Washington, DC, February 2, 2011 Credit: AFP 3 The largest airport in Spain, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, has been hit with an apparent bedbug outbreak Credit: AP 3 Two-day old lines of bedbug bites on a woman's back Credit: Getty Airport workers have reported having insect bites, leading to the airport's managing body to hire pest control. The company has had to fumigate hallways, furniture, and even check-in belts for bedbugs, ticks, and cockroaches. But a Naturalia report into the alleged outbreak isn't such a big deal, suggesting that the bites were "a one-off incident with no determined origin". The company said in a statement: "The presence of bed bugs is associated with the movement of people and not with the facilities. "In the short to medium term, the situation should return to normal." The airport's operator AENA has said that inspections, monitoring, and prevention treatments had been orchestrated. It added that whenever an insect was identified in various limited and defined areas, specific actions were taken. Experts say these critters are notable by being oval in shape, flat, brownish-red in colour and around the size of an apple pip. They need regular blood intake to survive. Also, humans are not their only target — they attack any warm-blooded animals, including birds. A dermatologist explains four ways to check for bedbugs and avoid bringing them home Bites tend to be small, red and itchy but the critters are not always easy to spot. Often they are only discovered when it is too late, which can mean having to fumigate property and replace furniture. AENA also said it had worked "in coordination" with the cleaning company and the specialised firm to incorporate necessary hygienic measures and has kept the companies to wich these workers belong informed consistently. Alongside the bedbugs, the airport is also having to deal with 421 people without permanent homes sleeping in the airport, NGO Caritas says. El Mundo's report said: "What began as a large group of homeless people spending the night, night after night, on Level 1 of Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has finally become overwhelming. "They can now be found on any floor, in any corner, despite the temperature reduction at nightfall or the constant messages over the PA system that resonate every few minutes." Many are residing in the airport as they struggle to live in a city where living and housing costs have rocketed in recent years. The site's Terminal 4 has become the place where most of those looking for shelter sleep. This has led to departure halls becoming crowded as well as bathrooms often occupied by those living in the terminal.
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Major Brit holiday airport fumigated after infestation of BEDBUGS with passengers & airline staff reporting itchy bites
A MAJOR Brit holiday airport had to be fumigated after a bedbug infestation, with passengers and airline staff reporting itchy bites The largest airport in Spain, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, has been hit with an apparent bedbug outbreak. 3 Bed bugs crawl around in a container on display during the 2nd National Bed Bug Summit in Washington, DC, February 2, 2011 Credit: AFP 3 The largest airport in Spain, Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, has been hit with an apparent bedbug outbreak Credit: AP 3 Two-day old lines of bedbug bites on a woman's back Credit: Getty Airport workers have reported having insect bites, leading to the airport's managing body to hire pest control. The company has had to fumigate hallways, furniture, and even check-in belts for bedbugs, ticks, and cockroaches. But a Naturalia report into the alleged outbreak isn't such a big deal, suggesting that the bites were "a one-off incident with no determined origin". The company said in a statement: "The presence of bed bugs is associated with the movement of people and not with the facilities. read more news "In the short to medium term, the situation should return to normal." The airport's operator AENA has said that inspections, monitoring, and prevention treatments had been orchestrated. It added that whenever an insect was identified in various limited and defined areas, specific actions were taken. Experts say these critters are notable by being oval in shape, flat, brownish-red in colour and around the size of an apple pip. Most read in The Sun They need regular blood intake to survive. Also, humans are not their only target — they attack any warm-blooded animals, including birds. A dermatologist explains four ways to check for bedbugs and avoid bringing them home Bites tend to be small, red and itchy but the critters are not always easy to spot. Often they are only discovered when it is too late, which can mean having to fumigate property and replace furniture. AENA also said it had worked "in coordination" with the cleaning company and the specialised firm to incorporate necessary hygienic measures and has kept the companies to wich these workers belong informed consistently. Alongside the bedbugs, the airport is also having to deal with 421 people without permanent homes sleeping in the airport, NGO Caritas says. El Mundo's report said: "What began as a large group of homeless people spending the night, night after night, on Level 1 of Terminal 4 of Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has finally become overwhelming. "They can now be found on any floor, in any corner, despite the temperature reduction at nightfall or the constant messages over the PA system that resonate every few minutes." Many are residing in the airport as they struggle to live in a city where living and housing costs have rocketed in recent years. The site's Terminal 4 has become the place where most of those looking for shelter sleep. This has led to departure halls becoming crowded as well as bathrooms often occupied by those living in the terminal. How to get rid of bed bugs Worried about bed bugs? Don't worry, we're here to help *If you click on a link in this boxout, we may earn affiliate revenue. But if you suspect you've been infected, the first thing you need to do is strip your bed and wash the sheets and blankets in 60C water, before tumble-drying for at least 30 minutes - or bin them all together. You can also try a steamer on mattresses, couches, and other places where bedbugs hide. You can read more on Zero In Bed Bug & Dust Mite Killer, £6.99 - Rentokil RKLPS136 Insectrol Insect Killer, £6.89 - NOPE Bed Bug Killer Spray Treatment, £12.99 - Persil 3 in-1 Laundry Washing Capsules, £9.50 - Karcher Steam Cleaner, £159 - Lakeland Mattress Vacuum, £49.99 -
BreakingNews.ie
30-04-2025
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
Dalata Hotel Group announces opening of first hotel in Spain
Dalata Hotel Group has announced the opening of its first hotel in the Spanish capital. The Irish hotel group has announced an agreement with Grupo Insur to lease a new 4-star Clayton hotel to be developed in Madrid. Advertisement The hotel will be situated in Valdebebas, an emerging and vibrant neighbourhood of Madrid, which is adjacent to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, the 5th busiest airport in Europe. Grupo Insur is a leading Spanish real estate company in operation for over 75 years and listed on the Madrid stock exchange. Due to open in the first quarter of 2029, the full-service Clayton Hotel, will include 243 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar, meeting and events, outdoor pool and a gym. The all-electric building will include state-of-the-art heat pump technology and will be certified to the LEED Gold standard for its energy efficiency and sustainable design. Advertisement On completion of construction, Dalata will commence operations of the hotel through a 15-year lease term, with two 5-year tenant extension options. The rent, with a guaranteed minimum, includes a ramp up period for the first three years and thereafter will be determined by the revenue performance of the hotel. While the airport will be a key demand driver, Valdebebas also has one of Europe's largest exhibition and event centres, IFEMA Madrid, drawing 4 million visitors annually; as well as Real Madrid's training centre, Real Madrid City. Business Credit Unions ranked as most reputable organisatio... Read More The signing of the agreement for lease in a major European City, which has become one of the world's top tourist destinations, further demonstrates Dalata's ability to increase its footprint and is consistent with a strategy of targeting locations in Gateway cities in Europe. Advertisement Shane Casserly, deputy chief executive of Dalata, said: "Madrid is a leading global travel destination and is a key strategic location in our European expansion strategy. "Situated adjacent to the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in the fast-growing, vibrant Valdebebas district, this newly developed hotel will be ideally positioned to benefit from the area's strong demand drivers, tourist attractions and rapidly growing events space. "We are very excited to have secured such an attractive opportunity in one of our target cities in Europe, and we look forward to working in partnership with Grupo Insur, one of Spain's leading real estate companies, to successfully deliver this exciting project."
