Los 500 ‘sin techo’ amenazan la reputación turística de Madrid

The presence of nearly 500 homeless people sleeping at Adolfo Suárez Madrid-Barajas airport is putting Madrid’s business owners on edge. According to Madrid Business Forum, which brings together more than 350 business leaders, this situation creates insecurity among travelers and severely damages the city’s tourist image.

A worsening problem

In a statement, the organization denounces the lack of coordination between Aena, the City Council of Madrid, and the National Police, which has left Barajas «taken over» by homeless individuals, a phenomenon that has skyrocketed in recent months. The recent death of a homeless man at the airport highlights the «social urgency» that authorities are failing to address.

Blame game and zero solutions

The involved administrations—Government Delegation, Community of Madrid, City Council, and Aena—pass the buck without taking responsibility, criticize the business owners. The airport, the city’s gateway, must be «safe and clean,» as required by law for Aena, they point out.

In this regard, the Forum calls for immediate action: a coordination between administrations to address the homeless and have them «define and assume their responsibilities in terms of homeless care, avoiding shirking responsibilities and working together.»

Likewise, they demand «dignified and effective solutions» with social policies that provide housing and social reintegration alternatives for the homeless individuals.

They also appeal to «protecting Madrid’s tourist image» and preventing the situation at the airport from «creating a negative perception among international visitors, affecting the city’s reputation.»

Hilario Alfaro, president of Madrid Business Forum, offers his collaboration to find solutions that benefit everyone.