Latest news with #BarajasAirport
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Spain holiday airport to FINALLY clear out crime-riddled homeless camp after tourists forced to dodge drugs and bedbugs
Prostitution, violence and public urination have all been linked to the rough sleepers SCARE-PORT CRACKDOWN Spain holiday airport to FINALLY clear out crime-riddled homeless camp after tourists forced to dodge drugs and bedbugs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SPANISH airport is finally flushing out a crime-riddled homeless camp - but only after tourists were forced to dodge drugs and bedbugs. Barajas Airport in Madrid has been overrun by rough sleepers who gather en masse every night, plaguing the building and travellers with problems. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 A rough sleeper eats sitting on the floor of Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport in Madrid Credit: AP 6 Around 400 people hunker down on the airport floor each night Credit: Solarpix 6 The crowds of homeless are finally to be evicted from the airport Credit: AP An estimated 400 rough sleepers pile into Spain's largest airport each night - but will now all be evicted, the Spanish airport authority Aena said. The gatherings of people, often with drug and alcohol problems, earned Barajas the nickname "zombie city" - amid reports of violence and looting. Drug use, public urination and even prostitution are also said to be common - as reported by local tradespeople and the rough sleepers themselves. Spanish media reported in May that some of the occupants have been found with knives, machetes and other homemade weapons. Officials warned the nuisance residents to move on after a reception centre was set up to accommodate them. As the airport enforces the new rule against overnight stays, Madrid City Council has created 150 emergency places in the Latina district of the city. The Pinar de San José centre is equipped with beds, hygiene services, food and social care. An Aena spokesperson said: "The decision to act on the situation in Barajas responds to a reality that has been visible for months: the stay of dozens of homeless people, mostly migrants or asylum seekers, who had begun to use the airport facilities as a night shelter, especially during waves of extreme cold and heat. "This situation generated both humanitarian concern and operational problems for the proper functioning of the airport." Aena says the airport cannot and should not become an overnight space for vulnerable people, as it does not have the resources or capacity to do so. Major Brit holiday airport fumigated after infestation of BEDBUGS with passengers & airline staff reporting itchy bites The statement continued: "The objective is to avoid situations of risk, lack of protection and chronification, through direct intervention, social monitoring and orientation to stable resources of the social services system". The authority will soon begin to officially warn any stragglers in Barajas that they must leave. They will be directed to the new homeless centre in the city. The eviction process will be conducted in collaboration with social professionals to "ensure empathetic and effective communication, in accordance with the vulnerability of the group", Aena said. Rough sleeps can be found occupying mattresses and cardboard beds onto the hard floor, while others simply curl up next to the walls surrounded by their belongings. Many of the inhabitants can also be seen sprawled across the chairs in the waiting areas of the terminal. 6 The rough sleepers will be directed to a new homeless shelter set up in the city Credit: Solarpix 6 Bed bugs - which leave itchy red marks like this - were reported at Madrid airport and it was fumigated Credit: Getty One shocking video clip even showed that a homeless man had occupied an airport lift and turned it into his bedroom. Barajas had to be fumigated in May after a outbreak of bedbugs, possibly linked to the homeless population. Footage showed various bugs - including cockroaches, ticks and fleas - crawling around the airport, and workers posted evidence of the bites. Aena was forced to call in the pest-control team to blast several zones including hallways, furniture, and even check-in belts. A similar situation affects other Spanish airports - including Malaga and Tenerife south.
Daily Mirror
02-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Fights break out at major holiday spot airport as passport control 'collapses'
Bottlenecks, scuffles and missed flights plagued Spain's busiest holiday hub after a 'temporary computer failure' crippled border checks during the start of the summer getaway Furious holidaymakers were left stranded and scrapping in queues as chaos erupted at Madrid -Barajas Airport - with passport control descending into what was described as total 'collapse'. Bottlenecks, scuffles and missed flights plagued Spain's busiest holiday hub after a 'temporary computer failure' crippled border checks at Terminal 4. State-owned airport operator Aena said the system breakdown triggered overcrowding at passport control, where immigration officers were already struggling to process passengers quickly. Some travellers were left waiting over an hour just to get through document checks and security, while tempers flared in packed queues. Local reports say the Spanish Civil Guard had to step in after minor fights broke out between frustrated passengers. Hundreds are believed to have missed their flights altogether. Aena said they are now working closely with officers to 'control the flow of people and prevent a situation of collapse', but passengers and airlines have slammed the situation as avoidable. Carriers say the chaos was made worse by a lack of police officers assigned to T4 - a critical failure during the start of the summer getaway, when the number of tourists passing through Europe's airports surges. The meltdown in Madrid comes just days after Ryanair issued a stark warning about delays across several airports in Portugal. The low-cost carrier revealed that queues of up to two-and-a-half hours are wreaking havoc on flights from Faro, Lisbon and Porto - leaving families with children stuck for hours and travellers missing connections. 'In just the past two weeks, over 270 passengers missed their flights at these airports due to excessive delays caused by understaffed border controls,' Ryanair said in a statement. The airline has urged Portugal's new government to act urgently and address the growing staff shortages before the situation worsens. Ryanair placed the blame with airport operator ANA, accusing it of failing to prepare adequately for the annual summer travel surge. 'The new government should take urgent measures to ensure that border control at Portuguese airport is duly equipped with resources,' the statement continued. It also stressed that action must be taken now to prevent further chaos as peak season looms large, 'especially during the morning rush hour, in order to avoid unnecessary delays and more people unfairly missing their flights'. Travel companies reported thousands of UK holidaymakers are now ditching traditional European hotspots in favour of north Africa. Countries like Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are all experiencing a boost in visitors from the UK. Figures from aviation analysts Cirium show 19,847 flights are projected to serve routes from UK airports to those nations this year, more than twice as many as the 8,653 that did so in 2019.
Malay Mail
02-06-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
From Spain's busiest airport to shelter of last resort: Where Madrid's homeless rest as rent soars
BARAJAS (Spain), June 2 — Victor Fernando Meza works during the day, but his salary is not enough to afford rent in the Spanish capital Madrid. So, once again, the 45-year-old Peruvian will spend the night at the airport. On a sweltering May evening, Meza arrived at Barajas airport before 9:00 pm – just in time to get past security. Any later, and people without a boarding pass are not allowed in under a new policy implemented a week ago to deter the hundreds of homeless people staying overnight. The measure aims to address the rising number of people sleeping in Spain's busiest airport – a situation thrust into the spotlight by images showing rows of people lying on the floor among bags and shopping carts, sparking a blame game between government officials. Those who call Barajas home say the increased scrutiny in Europe's fifth busiest airport is unwelcome. They doubt solutions will come and fear losing what they see as the safest place to sleep, compared to the streets or the metro in a city where homeless shelters have limited capacity. 'We just want to be left alone,' Meza told AFP. 'To be treated like people, not animals.' Meza blames Aena, the state-owned company that manages Spanish airports, for mishandling the humanitarian situation that has also occurred to a lesser extent in Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife. Aena argues its facilities were never meant to house hundreds of homeless people. 'Look down on you' Meza said the Barajas security guards know those who cause trouble in the airport. 'The ones who smoke, the ones who drink every day. They should be the ones kicked out, not all of us,' he said. Meza works occasional moving jobs and is hoping to save enough to rent an apartment with his brother. But like elsewhere in Spain, housing prices in the capital have soared and social housing is scarce. The average monthly rent for a 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) apartment in Madrid has almost doubled to 1,300 euros (US$1,415) from about 690 euros a decade ago, according to figures from real estate website Idealista. Sleeping in Madrid's airport has taken a toll on Meza. 'People look down on you, there's still a lot of racism here,' he said, adding that he plans to return to Peru when he turns 50. Zow, a 62-year-old construction worker from Mali who spends his nights at Barcelona's airport, is also weary of the stares he gets. 'I don't like sleeping here. It's awful, everyone looks at you like this,' he said, imitating a look of disdain. Blame game Around 421 people were sleeping rough at Madrid's airport in March, a survey by a Catholic charity group counted. Most were men, half had been sleeping at the airport for over six months and 38 percent said they had a job. Nearly all of them would leave the airport during the day. The issue has exposed deep divisions among the institutions tasked with addressing homelessness. City and regional governments in Madrid have clashed with Aena, which operates under the control of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist administration. 'Primary social care is the responsibility of the local government,' Aena said in a statement, adding the city must fulfil its 'legal duty to care for vulnerable populations'. Madrid's conservative Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida fired back, arguing that the central government controls Aena and 'what's happening depends on several ministries'. The city insists that most of those sleeping in the airport are foreigners who should fall under Spain's international protection system. Despite the finger-pointing, both sides have agreed to hire a consultancy to count and profile those sleeping at the airport. The study results are expected by the end of June. But Meza is sceptical. 'We don't want help. We don't want anything. We just don't want to be bothered,' he said. — AFP
Asharq Al-Awsat
02-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Homeless Seek Refuge at Madrid Airport as Rents Soar
Victor Fernando Meza works during the day, but his salary is not enough to afford rent in the Spanish capital Madrid. So, once again, the 45-year-old Peruvian will spend the night at the airport. On a sweltering May evening, Meza arrived at Barajas airport before 9:00 pm -- just in time to get past security. Any later, and people without a boarding pass are not allowed in under a new policy implemented a week ago to deter the hundreds of homeless people staying overnight. The measure aims to address the rising number of people sleeping in Spain's busiest airport -- a situation thrust into the spotlight by images showing rows of people lying on the floor among bags and shopping carts, sparking a blame game between government officials. Those who call Barajas home say the increased scrutiny in Europe's fifth busiest airport is unwelcome. They doubt solutions will come and fear losing what they see as the safest place to sleep, compared to the streets or the metro in a city where homeless shelters have limited capacity. "We just want to be left alone," Meza told AFP. "To be treated like people, not animals." Meza blames Aena, the state-owned company that manages Spanish airports, for mishandling the humanitarian situation that has also occurred to a lesser extent in Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife. Aena argues its facilities were never meant to house hundreds of homeless people. 'Look down on you' Meza said the Barajas security guards know those who cause trouble in the airport. "The ones who smoke, the ones who drink every day. They should be the ones kicked out, not all of us," he said. Meza works occasional moving jobs and is hoping to save enough to rent an apartment with his brother. But like elsewhere in Spain, housing prices in the capital have soared and social housing is scarce. The average monthly rent for a 60-square-meter (645-square-foot) apartment in Madrid has almost doubled to 1,300 euros ($1,415) from about 690 euros a decade ago, according to figures from real estate website Idealista. Sleeping in Madrid's airport has taken a toll on Meza. "People look down on you, there's still a lot of racism here," he said, adding that he plans to return to Peru when he turns 50. Zow, a 62-year-old construction worker from Mali who spends his nights at Barcelona's airport, is also weary of the stares he gets. "I don't like sleeping here. It's awful, everyone looks at you like this," he said, imitating a look of disdain. Blame game Around 421 people were sleeping rough at Madrid's airport in March, a survey by a Catholic charity group counted. Most were men, half had been sleeping at the airport for over six months and 38 percent said they had a job. Nearly all of them would leave the airport during the day. The issue has exposed deep divisions among the institutions tasked with addressing homelessness. City and regional governments in Madrid have clashed with Aena, which operates under the control of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist administration. "Primary social care is the responsibility of the local government," Aena said in a statement, adding the city must fulfil its "legal duty to care for vulnerable populations". Madrid's conservative Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida fired back, arguing that the central government controls Aena and "what's happening depends on several ministries". The city insists that most of those sleeping in the airport are foreigners who should fall under Spain's international protection system. Despite the finger-pointing, both sides have agreed to hire a consultancy to count and profile those sleeping at the airport. The study results are expected by the end of June. But Meza is skeptical. "We don't want help. We don't want anything. We just don't want to be bothered," he said.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Homeless seek refuge at Madrid airport as rents soar
Victor Fernando Meza works during the day, but his salary is not enough to afford rent in the Spanish capital Madrid. So, once again, the 45-year-old Peruvian will spend the night at the airport. On a sweltering May evening, Meza arrived at Barajas airport before 9:00 pm -- just in time to get past security. Any later, and people without a boarding pass are not allowed in under a new policy implemented a week ago to deter the hundreds of homeless people staying overnight. The measure aims to address the rising number of people sleeping in Spain's busiest airport -- a situation thrust into the spotlight by images showing rows of people lying on the floor among bags and shopping carts, sparking a blame game between government officials. Those who call Barajas home say the increased scrutiny in Europe's fifth busiest airport is unwelcome. They doubt solutions will come and fear losing what they see as the safest place to sleep, compared to the streets or the metro in a city where homeless shelters have limited capacity. "We just want to be left alone," Meza told AFP. "To be treated like people, not animals." Meza blames Aena, the state-owned company that manages Spanish airports, for mishandling the humanitarian situation that has also occurred to a lesser extent in Barcelona, Gran Canaria, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Tenerife. Aena argues its facilities were never meant to house hundreds of homeless people. - 'Look down on you' - Meza said the Barajas security guards know those who cause trouble in the airport. "The ones who smoke, the ones who drink every day. They should be the ones kicked out, not all of us," he said. Meza works occasional moving jobs and is hoping to save enough to rent an apartment with his brother. But like elsewhere in Spain, housing prices in the capital have soared and social housing is scarce. The average monthly rent for a 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) apartment in Madrid has almost doubled to 1,300 euros ($1,415) from about 690 euros a decade ago, according to figures from real estate website Idealista. Sleeping in Madrid's airport has taken a toll on Meza. "People look down on you, there's still a lot of racism here," he said, adding that he plans to return to Peru when he turns 50. Zow, a 62-year-old construction worker from Mali who spends his nights at Barcelona's airport, is also weary of the stares he gets. "I don't like sleeping here. It's awful, everyone looks at you like this," he said, imitating a look of disdain. - Blame game - Around 421 people were sleeping rough at Madrid's airport in March, a survey by a Catholic charity group counted. Most were men, half had been sleeping at the airport for over six months and 38 percent said they had a job. Nearly all of them would leave the airport during the day. The issue has exposed deep divisions among the institutions tasked with addressing homelessness. City and regional governments in Madrid have clashed with Aena, which operates under the control of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's Socialist administration. "Primary social care is the responsibility of the local government," Aena said in a statement, adding the city must fulfil its "legal duty to care for vulnerable populations". Madrid's conservative Mayor Jose Luis Martinez-Almeida fired back, arguing that the central government controls Aena and "what's happening depends on several ministries". The city insists that most of those sleeping in the airport are foreigners who should fall under Spain's international protection system. Despite the finger-pointing, both sides have agreed to hire a consultancy to count and profile those sleeping at the airport. The study results are expected by the end of June. But Meza is sceptical. "We don't want help. We don't want anything. We just don't want to be bothered," he said.
