MADRID (AP) – Spain’s airport authority, AENA, has announced new restrictions on access to Madrid’s airport during certain times of the day. This initiative aims to curb the increasing presence of homeless individuals who have been sleeping in airport terminals.

Under the new measures, only travelers with valid boarding passes, airport employees, and individuals accompanying ticket holders will be permitted to enter the airport during non-peak hours when there are fewer arriving and departing flights. This decision comes as a response to ongoing concerns about homeless encampments that have emerged in various parts of the airport.

Local media reports indicate that the number of homeless people residing in Madrid-Barajas Airport has reached into the hundreds, with many individuals using sleeping bags and occupying spaces near walls and bathrooms. The situation has prompted AENA to seek assistance from Madrid city officials, expressing that their requests for help have not yielded sufficient results.

AENA stated, “Airports are not places designed for living in, but rather are infrastructure solely for transit, which in no case offers adequate conditions for overnight stays.” This sentiment highlights the agency's position that the airport's primary function is to facilitate travel, not to serve as a shelter for the homeless.

The ongoing issue of homelessness within the airport has led to a political blame game among various levels of government, with responsibility for addressing the situation becoming muddled. As the peak summer travel season approaches, officials are under increasing pressure to find a viable solution to enhance the airport's environment for travelers.

As a backdrop to this situation, Spain has continued to attract significant tourism, with the country receiving a record 94 million international tourists in 2024. This influx highlights the importance of ensuring that accommodations and facilities are properly maintained and managed to provide a pleasant experience for all travelers.

In light of these developments, the airport authority's actions reflect a growing awareness of the need to balance humanitarian concerns with the practical requirements of an international travel hub. Moving forward, it will be essential for local authorities to address the root causes of homelessness and work collaboratively with airport officials to bring about a resolution.