List of people who have lived in airports

This is a list of people notable for living for periods of more than a week in airports. The reasons are usually protesting, asylum seeking or having holiday difficulties.

List of residents
  Currently in the airport
Profile Name Original nationality Location Period Duration Reason for stay Reason for leaving
Mehran Karimi Nasseri Iranian[1] Charles de Gaulle Airport, France[2] 26 August 1988 – July 2006[1] 6,518–6,548 days
(17.84–17.93 years)		 Originally from Iran, was given refugee status by UNHCR and claimed that his documents were stolen in Paris en route to the United Kingdom. Was refused entry and declined new papers due to changing his own name and place of birth.[2] Hospitalised, stayed in hotel by Red Cross and was then moved to Paris by Emmaus.[2]
Denis Luiz de Souza Brazilian São Paulo–Guarulhos International Airport, Brazil[3] Circa 2000 –[3] 19–20 years (roughly) Had frequent conflicts at home, deciding to take refuge in the airport. Seems to suffer from psychological problems.[3] Still lives in the airport, but comes out occasionally.[3]
Sanjay Shah Kenyan Nairobi Airport, Kenya[4] May 2004 – 12 July 2005[4] 407–437 days
(1.11–1.20 years)		 Tried to enter the United Kingdom on a British Overseas citizen passport but was barred entry. Had already handed in his Kenyan Passport and upon return to Nairobi, began protesting.[4] Obtained full British citizenship.[4]
Zahra Kamalfar Iranian Sheremetyevo International Airport, Russia[5] May–June 2006 – 15 March 2007[5] 258–318 days Was fleeing persecution in Iran with her family using falsified documents to seek asylum in Canada via Germany and Russia. The documents were rejected by German authorities and she was returned to Russia.[5] Asylum was granted by the Canadian government.[5]
Tetsuya Abo Japanese Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia[6] 29 May 2015 – 9 August 2015[7] 72 days Claimed to be a journalist, and that his seeking asylum was politically motivated. Hoped to receive Russian citizenship.[6] Denied political asylum in Russia.[7]
Hadaa Arlen Kyrgyzstanian-Soviet Manas International Airport, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan[8] January 19 2019 – [9] 574 days Lost Soviet-Kyrgizi citizenship at dissolution of the Union. Was rejected Norwegian residence permit and citizenship and returned to Kyrgyzstan. [10] Still lives in the airport.
Mohammed Al Bahish Iraqi-Palestinian Almaty International Airport, Almaty, Kazakhstan[11] March 20 – August 17, 2013 150 days In Kazakhstan, while registering intention to marry, his refugee travel documents went missing, and his Kazakh and Emirati visas expired. Later flew to Turkey in the hope of renewing his Kazakh visa, but was turned back at the border. Subsequently, flown back and forth four times and refused entry by either country. Was allowed to go to a UNHCR refugee transit centre in Timișoara, Romania, and later granted asylum in Finland.[12]
Hiroshi Nohara Japanese Mexico City International Airport, Mexico[13] 2 September – 28 December 2008[13][14] 117 days Declined to give his reasons.[14] Left with a woman identified as Oyuki.[14]
Ahmed Kannan Palestinian Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang, Malaysia[15] 21 May – 13 July 2013[16] 114 days Arrived without passport because it had been confiscated in Turkey. After having overstayed during May 2013 in Malaysia, he had flown from Kuala Lumpur to Turkey, but without a Turkish visa. His passport was seized by Turkish immigration and he was deported back to Kuala Lumpur. Released on 13 July 2013. Granted 30-days Malaysian visa on humanitarian grounds.[16]
Yvonne Paul Dutch Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, Netherlands October 1967 – 5 January 1968[17] 66–96 days Wanted to return to the United States.[17] Was arrested.[17]
Feng Zhenghu Chinese[18] Narita International Airport, Japan[18] 9 November 2009 – 3 February 2010[18][19] 86 days Began protesting after being refused re-entry into China.[18] Was visited by several Chinese diplomats and entered Japan with anticipation of being allowed to re-enter Shanghai by mid-February. This later occurred, although he is now under house-arrest at his Shanghai apartment.[19][20]
Khasan Aman Ando, Gulistan Issa Shakho, and four children Syrian Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia[21] 10 September 2015 – 20 November 2015[22] 71 days Family of Kurdish refugees fleeing the Iraqi Civil War who intended to seek asylum in Russia. After being initially denied entry into the country, they remained at the airport.[22][21] The family was moved to a facility for temporary accommodation while they await further processing of their asylum application.[22]
Edward Snowden American Sheremetyevo International Airport, Moscow, Russia[23] 23 June – 1 August 2013[24] 39 days While on a flight to Moscow-Sheremetyevo, authorities revoked Snowden's U.S. passport. Granted temporary asylum in Russia.[25]
Iyad El-Baghdadi Palestinian Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Malaysia[26] 13 May – 8 June 2014[26][27] 26 days Was deported to Malaysia by the UAE, not wanting to be detained there indefinitely without formal charges. Was then denied entry at the Kuala Lumpur airport because he had no official documents.[27] The Palestinian Embassy issued him a passport, and officials in Kuala Lumpur admitted him into the country.[27] He then left Malaysia for Norway, applying for political asylum.
Gary Peter Austin British Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines[28] 19 December 2012 – 11 January 2013[29] 23 days Missed his flight. He had run out of money to book a new flight.[30] Donors paid for a ticket back to the United Kingdom.[31]
Heinz Müller German Viracopos-Campinas International Airport, Brazil October 16–29, 2009[32] 13 days Flew to Rio de Janeiro to meet with a woman he met online, who did not show up. Ran out of money and ended up in Campinas.[32] Was taken to a hospital for a psychological evaluation.[32]
Hassan Al Kontar Syrian Kuala Lumpur International Airport, Sepang, Malaysia[33] 7 March – 1 October 2018 208 days Deported to Malaysia in 2017 after overstaying in the UAE for 5 years. During his stay, he saved money to buy a plane ticket to Ecuador, but was turned away by Turkish Airlines staff for unexplained reasons. He then attempted to fly to Cambodia after overstaying his Malaysian visa, but was denied entry and deported. Was briefly detained by Malaysian immigration authorities for two months until his asylum request was granted by the Canadian government.[34]
Liu Xinglian and Yan Kefen Chinese Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan 27 September 2018 – 30 January 2019 125 days Were trying to seek asylum in Taiwan during their transit, but they were refused for entry while their asylum applications were being considered by Taiwanese authorities.[35][36] Were allowed to enter Taiwan on 30 January 2019.[37]
Eissa Muhamad Nigerien Addis Ababa, International Airport[38] November 2018 –[38] More than 200 days (exact dates unknown) Was expelled from Israel after being caught without proper documents. On his way back to Niger, he transited to Addis Ababa. Niger refused to let him in, claiming the temporary travel documents Israel gave him were fake. Now stuck in Addis Ababa, where neither Israel nor Niger will take him back.[38]
Bayram Tepeli Turkish Atatürk Airport[39] 1991–2019[39] 27 years (exact dates unknown) Ran away from family problems and worked at the airport for a while. Eventually became sick, and could not work anymore, but decided to keep living at the airport.[39] Airport closed for commercial passenger travel in 2019, so he had to leave.[39] Now lives in Sabiha Gökçen Airport.[40]
Wei Jianguo Chinese Beijing Capital International Airport[41] Circa 2008 –[41] 11–12 years (roughly) Wanted to smoke and drink without his family bothering him. Also had difficulty finding work.[41] Still lives in the airport, but comes out occasionally.[41]
Bahareh Zare Bahari Iranian Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila[42] 17 October – 6 November 2019[43][44] 50 days Detained upon return to the Philippines from a trip to Dubai after Iran sought her via an Interpol Red Notice[45]

The Philippine justice department recognized Bahari as a refugee on 6 November.[44]

Edgard Ziebart German Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi[46] 18 March – 12 May 2020[47] 55 days Prevented from embarking on the last leg of his flight when India imposed restrictions amid the coronavirus crisis. Refused German Embassy evacuation flights, fearing prosecution for criminal offences.[47]

See also

References
  1. "Stranded at the Airport". Snopes. 2 July 2008.
  2. "Mehran Karimi Nasseri – In Transit". h2g2. BBC. May 28, 2008.
  3. "15 anos vivendo no aeroporto" (in Portuguese). El País (Brazilian Edition). 21 May 2015.
  4. Mynott, Adam (12 July 2005). "Kenya airport dweller is British". BBC News.
  5. "Emotional reunion for Iranian family at Vancouver airport". CBC News. 15 March 2007.
  6. "Japanese Journalist Lives in Moscow Airport, Wants Russian Citizenship". Sputnik. 31 July 2015. Retrieved 2 August 2015.
  7. "Japanese Blogger Flies Home After Spending 2 Months in Moscow Airport". The Moscow Times. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  8. "Stateless man trapped at Manas airport in Bishkek for 4 months". AKIpress. 8 April 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  9. "Stateless man living in secure zone of Manas airport for 3 months". 24KG. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  10. "Strandet på flyplassen i Kirgisistan" (in Norwegian). NRK. 14 August 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  11. "Life in transit: What is it like to live in an airport?". BBC News. July 18, 2013.
  12. "Marooned at an airport... then what?". BBC. December 4, 2013.
  13. "Japan Tourist Extends Layover at Mexico Airport: 85 Days So Far". Bloomberg.com. 26 November 2008.
  14. "Man living at Mexico airport has a new home". NBC News. 31 December 2008.
  15. "22-year-old Palestinian stuck at airport for more than 50 days". The Star. July 13, 2013.
  16. "Exclusive: Ahmed's ordeal over as he is allowed to re-enter Malaysia". The Star. 14 July 2013.
  17. "Yvonne Paul: "Ik blijf"" (in Dutch). 2012-05-04. Archived from the original on 2012-11-04.
  18. "Chinese human rights activist stuck at Tokyo airport". The Guardian. London. Associated Press, Tokyo. 13 November 2009.
  19. "Chinese man who spent 3 months in Tokyo airport to leave". Saudi Gazette. Associated Press. 3 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  20. Kurtenbach, Elaine (13 February 2010). "Chinese activist allowed to return home after 3 months at Tokyo airport". The Washington Post.
  21. Ellis, Ralph; Tawfeeq, Mohammed (30 October 2015). "Kurdish family stuck in Moscow airport". CNN. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  22. Lokshina, 17 December 2015 (30 November 2015). "A refugee family's ordeal in Russia". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 17 December 2015.
  23. "Moscow airport source confirms Snowden arrived on Sunday". Reuters. June 25, 2013.
  24. "Snowden in Moscow: What Russian Authorities Might Be Doing With the NSA Whistle-Blower". Time. 10 July 2013.
  25. "Statement on Snowden's Successful Russian Asylum Bid". WikiLeaks. August 1, 2013. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013.
  26. "How the UAE Tried to Silence a Popular Arab Spring Activist". The Intercept. 21 October 2014.
  27. "Human Rights Activist Iyad El-Baghdadi Speaks Out on His Deportation from UAE". Global Voices. 30 October 2014.
  28. "The Terminal, PH Version". Rappler. 10 January 2013.
  29. "Stranded Brit flies home". Philippine Star. 12 January 2013.
  30. "Stranded Briton heads home after 22 days at Naia; kind Filipinos fed him". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 10 January 2013.
  31. "Dutch chef saves Briton". Manila Standard Today. 12 January 2013. Archived from the original on 31 March 2014.
  32. "Headline: Ex-Pilot Lives in Brazilian Airport After Being Dumped". AOL Travel. 2 November 2012.
  33. "This Syrian man has been stuck in an airport for months". BBC News. Retrieved 2018-07-09.
  34. "Syrian refugee stranded in airport for months is granted asylum in Canada". The Guardian. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  35. "Two Chinese Asylum-Seekers Stranded in Taiwan's Airport After Claim". Radio Free Asia. 1 October 2018.
  36. "2中國男滯留桃機9天　陸委會尚未決定去留". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 5 October 2018.
  37. "【獨家】滯留桃機125天終圓夢　2中國異議人士昨深夜入境台灣". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 31 January 2019.
  38. Igunza, Emmanuel (18 February 2019). "Israel deportee marooned in airport for months". Retrieved 6 March 2019.
  39. "Terminal date close for man who has lived in Atatürk Airport for 27 years". DailySabah. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
  40. "27 yıldır havaalanında ama hiç uçağa binmedi". odatv.com (in Turkish). Retrieved 2019-11-12.
  41. Weiyi, Qiu. "Displaced residents find warmth, shelter at Beijing airport - EUROPE - Chinadaily.com.cn". europe.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  42. Fullerton, Jamie (6 November 2019). "'Losing my mind': former beauty queen pursued by Iran fears for her health". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-11-06 – via www.theguardian.com.
  43. CNN, Helen Regan and Joshua Berlinger. "Beauty queen says she will be killed if she is deported to Iran". CNN. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  44. Fonbuena, Carmela (2019-11-09). "Philippines grants asylum to Iranian woman held in airport". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  45. "Beauty queen trapped in airport for two weeks". NewsComAu. 29 October 2019. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  46. Srivastava, Anvit (12 May 2020). "German man living at Delhi airport since March 18 leaves for Amsterdam on a relief flight". Hindustan Times. New Delhi. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  47. "German man stuck 2 months in Indian airport". Deutsche Welle. 12 May 2020. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
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