Madrid Airport is under scrutiny after reports of insect bites at Terminal 4 raised health concerns among workers and triggered a multi-agency response. Although no infestation has been confirmed, the situation has drawn attention to the airport’s pest control procedures, cleanliness protocols, and the presence of hundreds of unhoused individuals within the terminal complex.

The issue began when the Aena/Enaire Trade Union Alternative () filed a complaint with the Community of Madrid about an alleged insect infestation at Adolfo Suárez-Madrid Barajas Airport’s Terminal 4. The complaint was passed through various levels of local government, from Madrid Salud to the Foreign Health Department. Alongside the formal report, the union distributed photographs showing counters being fumigated and workers with visible bite marks.

Despite the alarming visuals, Spanish Airports and Air Navigation ()—the operator of Madrid Airport—stated that the pest control company contracted to manage infestations found no evidence of a widespread outbreak. Still, precautionary measures were put in place, including focused inspections, monitoring, and localized pest treatment where any insects were discovered.

🔴 Chinches e insectos en la T4 de Barajas: Aena fumiga parte de la terminal aunque niega que haya una plaga

El sindicato Asae ha reclamado el desalojo de las entre 300 y 500 sin hogar que viven allí para evitar “problemas sanitarios”

🎥 @Adriyuyu pic.twitter.com/G2Lya7waDf

— EL ESPAÑOL (@elespanolcom) May 6, 2025

In a detailed press release, Aena assured the public that Barajas Airport remains a environment for both workers and passengers. According to the company, cleaning and sanitation are ongoing processes carried out regularly and ramped up whenever staff or travelers raise concerns.

The airport currently holds three cleaning contracts—one for each terminal—including a specific contract dedicated to Terminal 4. These contracts are managed by companies meeting strict cleanliness criteria. Furthermore, each contractor partners with specialized pest control firms to handle insect-related issues. These firms conduct:

Aena emphasized that pest control services are carried out even in the absence of confirmed infestations if complaints arise. In the most recent reports of bites, the pest control company did not determine the presence of an infestation but still performed thorough evaluations and interventions in defined areas.

While Aena insists the situation is under control, the union behind the alert raised broader concerns. linked the potential pest problem to the estimated 300 to 500 homeless individuals living in various areas of Barajas Airport, including Terminal 4. The union is now advocating for the evacuation of this population to prevent “health problems” among airport personnel and travelers.

This raises sensitive questions about the use of public infrastructure as de facto shelters and the impact it may have on operations and hygiene. Although Madrid Airport is not alone in facing this issue—many major international hubs grapple with housing insecurity within their premises—the public nature of this dispute has pushed the topic into the spotlight.

Summary of Reported Developments

Based on available evidence, there is no reason to avoid flying through Madrid Airport. Aena’s response indicates that airport operations remain unaffected and that preventative cleaning measures continue. No passenger reports of insect bites or infestations have been confirmed, and flights are operating on schedule.

However, the episode has raised legitimate questions about airport sanitation practices, the responsibilities of operators in addressing vulnerable populations, and how quickly issues can escalate in the public eye—even without scientific confirmation.

As summer travel heats up, millions of international travelers are expected to pass through Madrid Airport. While the latest scare may have caused a stir, there’s little indication that it will result in long-term disruption—unless further evidence of infestation surfaces.

In the end, what’s biting at Madrid Airport may not be insects—but rather the growing tension between operational cleanliness, social responsibility, and public perception.