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Madrid-Barajas Homelessness Crisis Deepens as Authorities Clash Over Responsibility

With over 400 people sleeping in airport terminals, Aena’s planned security measures face criticism while experts point to municipal leadership as key to resolving the issue.

Una persona duerme en el Aeropuerto de Barajas. EFE/Fernando Villar
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Mónica García y Manuela Bergerot, en la pradera el pasado jueves

Overview

  • A Caritas report estimates 421 homeless individuals at Madrid-Barajas Airport, with numbers rising due to cold weather and limited shelter availability.
  • Aena announced boarding-pass access controls during low-traffic hours, but the measure has not yet been enforced and is criticized as insufficient by workers' unions.
  • Regional and municipal authorities continue to dispute responsibility for addressing the crisis, with the Comunidad de Madrid calling for central government action.
  • Más Madrid has filed a parliamentary motion blaming PP-led local and regional governments and urging a coordinated response involving Aena, the city, and the region.
  • Experts and civil society emphasize that homelessness services are under municipal jurisdiction, citing successful interventions at Barcelona-El Prat Airport as a model.