Latest news with #MadridAirport
South China Morning Post
2 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
In Spain, soaring rents force hundreds of homeless to seek refuge at Madrid airport
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. Advertisement On a sweltering May evening, Meza arrived at Barajas airport before 9pm - 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 trolleys, sparking a blame game between government officials. Those who call Barajas home say the increased scrutiny in Europe's fifth busiest airport is unwelcome. Homeless people lay on the floor of Terminal 4 of the Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport in Madrid. Photo: AFP 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.
News.com.au
19-05-2025
- News.com.au
Inside drug-ravaged ‘Zombieland' airport used by thousands of passengers
Tourists arriving at the largest airport in Spain have been welcomed with harrowing sights of sleeping 'zombies'. Passengers jetting into Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport in Madrid were shocked to see the homeless taking shelter on every level of the terminal. Almost 500 'unauthorised occupants' live on the airport premises to avoid rough sleeping on the cold streets. 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.' Tourism bosses fear that a recent increase in reported drug use and violence among the population may deter tourists from visiting the capital city. Dozens of men and women have been seen sleeping on floors in Terminal 4. Rough sleepers can sometimes be found resting at restaurant tables and lavatory entrances. Cleaners are also often required to clean urine from the floor after drunk people relieve themselves where they sleep. According to the Spanish newspaper El Debate, employees are planning to complain to the Ministry of Labour about the 'more than obvious risk' to their well-being. Spanish reports also state that crack and other drug use, as well as prostitution, are widespread among the population. Some residents have also been caught in possession of knives, machetes, and other handmade weapons. Many are residing in the airport as they struggle to live in a city where living and housing costs have rocketed in recent years. Fernando from Peru has been living at the airport for several months and told Daily Mail: 'You definitely have to sleep with one eye open. 'There are some bad eggs here who will rob you while you sleep, they usually come out at 3am, they'll take your phone, cigarettes, or whatever they can grab. 'A lot of the people are working for cash during the day in the black economy, then come back with alcohol and get drunk on whiskey and rum. Many have been living here for years.' Police often patrol the terminal, checking the residents' documents and looking out for any criminals wanted by the authorities. Tensions among the occupants have been known to spark brawls every now and then. The UGT trade union has slammed the government over the tackling of the issue. They said in a statement: 'Workers are exposed to dangerous situations in an environment that has not been designed or prepared for this type of problem. 'Travellers themselves, unaware of this situation, are also suffering the consequences, facing an environment of insecurity unbecoming of a key infrastructure for the country.' Meanwhile, NGO workers who support the homeless have also accused the government of failing the vulnerable group. Gaspar Garcia, head of the Despega project at the Bokatas NGO added: 'Instead of seeking housing or inclusion solutions, they have decided to relocate them to a very specific area – on the first floor of Terminal 4 – without basic conditions: no cleanliness, no security, no opportunity for real rest.' It comes as the airport has also been faced with a reported bedbug infestation this week. Airport workers claimed to have been plagued by 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 Sun
17-05-2025
- The Sun
Inside ‘Zombieland' airport infested with bedbugs where ‘hidden city' of the homeless sleep on every level of terminal
TOURISTS arriving at the largest airport in Spain are welcomed with harrowing sights of sleeping 'zombies'. Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport has turned into an apocalyptic city infested with bedbugs and homeless taking shelter on every level of the terminal. 5 5 5 Almost 500 "unauthorised occupants" live on the airport premises to avoid rough sleeping on the cold streets. 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." Tourism bosses fear that a recent increase in reported drug use and violence among the population may deter tourists from visiting the capital city. Terminal 4 has turned into the epicentre of the crisis with dozens men and women seen laying down on the floor. The homeless occupy any available spot from restaurant tables to lavatory entrances. A puddle of urine on the floor is a common sight with the drunk people relieving themselves where they sleep. According to the Spanish newspaper El Debate, employees are planning to complain to the Ministry of Labour about the "more than obvious risk" to their well-being. 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". Spanish reports also state that crack and other drug use, as well as prostitution, are widespread amongst the population. Some residents have also been caught in possession of knives, machetes, and other handmade weapons. Many are residing in the airport as they struggle to live in a city where living and housing costs have rocketed in recent years. Fernando from Peru has been living at the airport for several months and told DailyMail: "You definitely have to sleep with one eye open. "There are some bad eggs here who will rob you while you sleep, they usually come out at 3am, they'll take your phone, cigarettes, or whatever they can grab. "A lot of the people are working for cash during the day in the black economy, then come back with alcohol and get drunk on whiskey and rum. Many have been living here for years." Police often patrols the terminal, checking the residents' documents and looking out for any criminals wanted by the authorities. Tensions amongst the occupants are also common with brawls breaking out every now and then. The UGT trade union has slammed the government over the tackling of the issue. They said in a statement: "Workers are exposed to dangerous situations in an environment that has not been designed or prepared for this type of problem. "Travelers themselves, unaware of this situation, are also suffering the consequences, facing an environment of insecurity unbecoming of a key infrastructure for the country." Meanwhile, NGO workers who support the homeless have also accused the government of failing the vulnerable group. Gaspar Garcia, head of the Despega project at the Bokatas NGO added: "Instead of seeking housing or inclusion solutions, they have decided to relocate them to a very specific area - on the first floor of Terminal 4 - without basic conditions: no cleanliness, no security, no opportunity for real rest." 5 5
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Yahoo
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.'
Arab News
17-05-2025
- Arab News
In Spain, a homelessness crisis unfolds in Madrid's airport
MADRID: 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 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 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 things could on entrySpain'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 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 gameFor 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 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 numbers are unknownIt'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 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 of mouthTeresa 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 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 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 for the futureTeresa 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.'
