Passengers congested at the security screening area in terminal 4 of Barajas Airport, resulting from a computer malfunction.
Madrid, Spain - The long lines and delays at Terminal 4 (T4) of Barajas Airport have become a persistent issue, causing frustration for thousands of travelers. The root cause of the chaos, according to the Tourism Board, is a shortage of National Police officers assigned to passport control and security checks.
The increased passenger traffic during the summer holiday season, with a 3.5% increase in travelers compared to 2024, has compounded the problem. In May 2025 alone, over 5.74 million passengers passed through the airport, marking a 1% increase from the previous year [1].
Adding to the congestion is a recent technical failure, described as a "timely computer problem" in the Terminal 4 Satellite passport control area. This issue has only served to exacerbate the delays [3].
Despite the National Police increasing the number of officers at passport control to cover vacant positions, passengers have reported missing flights due to the extended delays in security and passport checks [1][5].
The Tourism Board has labelled the current situation as "unacceptable" and has criticized the insufficient staffing of National Police officers. The Association, as well as the Community of Madrid and the Madrid City Council, have made similar complaints about this issue in the past [7].
The Ministry of the Interior, however, denies the lack of police officers in passport control, stating that more than 30 were working. The Ministry has attributed the accumulation of passengers, especially those from outside the Schengen area such as the United Kingdom, to the cause of the delays [2].
The Association has reiterated its dissatisfaction with the Spanish Government's neglect, claiming they are more focused on political corruption cases than maintaining public transport [8]. The Spanish Consumer Association has also stated that the collapse of air and rail transport during the peak holiday season causes harm to consumers and Spain's image as a tourist destination [6].
The situation at T4 has required the intervention of the Civil Guard to manage the tension that has been generated among travelers. Aena advises travelers to arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance to avoid inconveniences [4].
This issue is not new, with similar situations occurring in previous years during the summer holidays. The Association has demanded the resignation or dismissal of Minister Oscar Puente and has requested that Fernando Grande-Marlaska take dismissals in his Cabinet to purge political responsibilities for the chaos at T4 [7].
References: [1] El País [2] El Mundo [3] ABC [4] Aena [5] RTVE [6] OCU [7] El Confidencial [8] La Vanguardia
- The increased travel volume during the summer season, along with a recent technical failure at Terminal 4's passport control area, has contributed to an average of lengthy delays at passport control, straining the lifestyle of countless travelers.
- Amidst concerns over insufficient staffing, the Tourism Board, Association, Community of Madrid, and Madrid City Council have criticized the politics surrounding the shortage of National Police officers at passport control, claiming it negatively impacts the general-news of Spain's reputation as a well-regarded tourist destination.
