Spain’s airport authority is planning to restrict access to Madrid’s main airport during certain parts of the day in an effort to prevent homeless individuals from sleeping in the terminals.
The measure will limit entry to only travelers with valid boarding passes, airport staff, and those accompanying ticketed passengers during off-peak hours when few flights are scheduled, according to airport operator AENA. The specific start date and hours of the restrictions were not disclosed, but implementation is expected within days.
In recent months, Madrid-Barajas Airport has seen a noticeable increase in people experiencing homelessness setting up encampments inside the terminals. Reports indicate that hundreds of individuals have been sleeping in sleeping bags near restrooms and along terminal walls.
AENA said it had previously asked city officials in Madrid for assistance in handling the situation but has so far received limited support.
“Airports are not designed to serve as living spaces,” AENA stated. “They are transit hubs and do not offer appropriate conditions for overnight stays.”
The issue comes as Spain approaches the busy summer travel season, with no clear solution in sight due to ongoing political disagreements between various levels of government. The country recently set a record by welcoming 94 million international tourists in 2024.
