Desinfección en Terminal 4 del Aeropuerto de Madrid-Barajas con polémica sobre acceso de ONG

Aena, the Spanish public company that manages airports in Spain, has initiated disinfection tasks in various areas of terminal 4 at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas Airport, where hundreds of people regularly spend the night. This intervention includes fumigated spaces such as corridors, furniture, and luggage belts, following complaints about the presence of insects like bedbugs, ticks, and cockroaches.

Airport workers, supported by the Aena/Enaire Union (ASAE), have reported suffering bites within the facilities. Additionally, the airport manager restricted terminal access exclusively to individuals with a flight ticket, preventing non-governmental organizations from bringing food for those seeking refuge within the premises.

¿Quién tiene la responsabilidad?

The situation has sparked renewed tension between regional and state administrations. Madrid’s Deputy Mayor, Inma Sanz, held the central government accountable for overwhelming municipal reception resources. Speaking to «Telemadrid,» she emphasized that asylum management falls solely under the state executive, which, in her view, fails to provide solutions for individuals staying in municipal centers for months.

The Madrid Municipal Council is calling for increased involvement from various ministries (transport, interior, social rights, and health), while Madrid’s government delegate, Francisco Martín, urged the council to act with greater responsibility.

In turn, Aena’s president, Mauric, highlighted a «capacity of functions» from the municipal council. Madrid’s Mayor, José Luis Martínez-Almeida, responded that he «politicized the suffering of the most vulnerable» and exerted unwarranted pressure on those forced to spend the night at the terminal.