Irish holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer are being urged to take note of a major new restriction at Madrid-Barajas Airport, which limits access between 9pm and 5am.
The airport has rolled out a strict overnight entry policy in response to hundreds of people reportedly using the terminal as makeshift shelter. The measure came into effect this week.
Only passengers with valid travel documents will be permitted entry during the restricted hours, with just a few access points kept open at night across all terminals.
Spain’s national airport operator, AENA, said approximately 400 people were sleeping at the airport each night before leaving for work in the morning.
To enforce the new policy, AENA has employed a private security firm and added 22 new guards to monitor entry and close off the majority of doors each evening.
Terminals 1, 2, and 3 will retain just five open entrances in total, while Terminal 4—Madrid’s busiest—will operate only four points of entry during restricted hours.
AENA says the aim is to improve safety and hygiene conditions for passengers and staff amid rising complaints over “unsafe and unhealthy” conditions.
Late-arriving tourists and those departing early in the morning may face difficulties if they are unaware of the changes. Travellers are being advised to carry boarding passes or essential travel documents at all times.
Authorities are also urging passengers to avoid arriving too early for flights scheduled before sunrise and to plan accommodation.
The overnight access restrictions have already stirred controversy, with Spanish trade unions criticizing the approach.
Union leaders argue that the issue is social and should not be addressed through heightened security measures alone.
“This is not a train or metro station with fixed closing hours,” said Israel Vellisca from the UGT Madrid union. “Airports are a key gateway to the country and need a compassionate response.”
Workers across various sectors at the airport, including retail, cleaning, security, and food service, have raised concerns over the new rules.
With summer travel volumes set to surge, Irish travellers and other international visitors may feel the effects of the tighter restrictions.
Officials say they will continue to monitor the policy’s impact on airport operations and passenger experience throughout the summer season.