The new Madrid Airport security measures have stirred confusion and concern among travelers and workers alike. Starting tonight (May 21), Barajas Airport implemented restricted nighttime access, limiting entry to only specific terminals and requiring individuals to prove they are travelers, staff, or companions.
New Nighttime Entry Rules in Effect at Madrid Airport
Between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., only five access points across Terminals 1, 2, and 3 and four in Terminal 4 will remain open. This change follows a reported increase in the number of homeless individuals taking shelter inside the airport, particularly in Terminal 4. To address what Aena has called “unsafe and unhealthy” conditions, the airport operator has reinforced its private security staff by deploying 22 additional officers to enforce the new entry restrictions.
According to UGT Air Sector union sources, the plan was announced a week ago and officially activated on May 14. Aena emphasized that the goal is to reduce risks and improve safety during low-traffic hours by filtering access to the facilities more carefully. Security personnel stationed at these access points are instructed to check credentials and only admit individuals with valid reasons to enter the airport overnight.
Legal Gray Area Sparks Debate
The decision has raised serious legal and ethical concerns. Critics, including airport workers and police unions, argue that the measures may overstep legal boundaries. Israel Vellisca, spokesperson for the Federation of Mobility and Consumer Services (Fesmc) of the UGT Madrid, questioned the legitimacy of private security guards enforcing such access controls at a public facility that operates 24 hours a day.
“This is not a train or metro station with set closure hours,” Vellisca noted, adding that unless there’s an official order from national authorities, preventing entry into public infrastructure could be legally questionable. The Unified Police Union (SUP) confirmed that the National Police stationed at the airport have not received any formal orders regarding the implementation of these new rules. Instead, they referred to the move as “an internal instruction” issued solely to private security personnel by Aena.
Security Guards Caught in the Middle
With no written legal directive and only verbal instructions to go by, private security teams are unsure of their rights and responsibilities. Some guards have reportedly been told to log individuals denied entry — a practice that may conflict with data protection regulations and leaves them feeling legally vulnerable.
SUP warned of the growing insecurity this situation creates for both workers and the public. “Any restriction on access to a public space must be justified and documented,” union sources emphasized. The call now is for Aena to issue clear, legally sound, and written guidelines to protect the rights of all parties involved — especially in a high-stakes environment like an international airport.
Impact on Workers and the Broader Public
Airport workers are also among those affected. Many rely on the terminals to rest or eat during overnight shifts when other services are closed. The union stresses that while the homelessness issue is real, the approach to solving it should not fall on the shoulders of private guards or airline staff.
“This is a social problem, not a labor issue,” Vellisca emphasized. “Madrid Airport is the first and last image tourists have of Spain. We need a long-term, humane solution that involves public institutions, social organizations, and proper support services.”
For now, travelers arriving at or departing from Madrid Airport during late-night hours should expect to show documentation or boarding passes to gain entry. Those without proof may find themselves, quite literally, locked out and left behind.
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Iakov Filimonov | Dreamstime.com
