Spain limits airport access due to rising homelessness in terminals
- Spanish authorities have observed a significant rise in homeless individuals occupying Madrid's airport terminals amidst a housing crisis.
- In response, AENA is implementing new restrictions to access the airport, limiting entry to travelers and staff during select times.
- The ongoing situation underscores the need for collaborative efforts among local governments to address homelessness effectively.
In Spain, a homelessness crisis has emerged, particularly affecting Madrid-Barajas Airport, where various homeless individuals have made encampments in the terminals. This trend has been exacerbated by the country's growing housing crisis, in which rental costs have surged significantly in urban areas, especially in Madrid and Barcelona. As a result, thousands of individuals, many previously employed, are finding themselves homeless. In recent weeks, the airport authority, AENA, announced measures to limit access to the airport for those without travel purposes in an attempt to discourage the encampments. Access will only be granted to those with boarding passes, airport employees, and those accompanying travelers during strategically chosen hours of the day when there are fewer flights. This decision by AENA reflects increasing frustration with the situation, considering they had requested assistance from the local government months prior but received scant support. A spokesperson from AENA pointed out that airports are not meant for overnight accommodation, emphasizing that the delays in addressing this homelessness issue have been fueled by a lack of collaboration among various levels of government. Meanwhile, approximately 400 homeless people were reported to be living at the airport. Additionally, social services have made considerable efforts to help those affected: in April alone, approximately 94 individuals received assistance, with 12 rehabilitated into shelters or other living arrangements. Despite these efforts, the level of support remains inadequate given the rising number of individuals in need. The situation has intensified discussions about accountability and responsibility in dealing with homelessness, causing tensions between Madrid's city council and AENA, with each blaming the other for the current crisis. Amid this turmoil, individuals like Teresa and Marta, who have been living in the airport, express a sense of despair combined with a tentative hope for improvement as they seek jobs and a return to normal living conditions. The upcoming peak travel season adds urgency to finding a solution, as both governmental authorities and homeless advocates continue to grapple with the larger implications of insufficient housing provisions in Spain.