Moscow airports face drone disruptions

The four major airports in Moscow—Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky—faced significant traffic disruptions on October 23 and 24 due to drone alerts linked to Ukraine. Hundreds of flights were delayed or canceled, with reports indicating more than 340 flights affected in total over the two days.

Passenger safety measures at Sheremetyevo

At Sheremetyevo, the largest of the Moscow airports, passengers were directed to protected areas within the terminal. Some parts of the airport were evacuated, and passengers already on board aircraft were asked to disembark. Access to restricted areas was restricted, and travelers were told to avoid windows and stay in shelters or protected zones. Unconfirmed images of drone debris on the runway appeared online.

Flights rerouted to alternative airports

The disruptions forced airlines to reroute flights to other airports. On October 23, Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg received 25 flights diverted from Moscow. Passengers either remained on their planes or were allowed to seek shelter in the terminal. Earlier in October, flights had also been redirected to Nizhny Novgorod, with bus transfers arranged for affected travelers.

Aeroflot's response to the crisis

Aeroflot, Russia's largest airline, operated in "reinforced mode" to manage the disruptions at Sheremetyevo. Between October 23 and 24, the airline handled over 200 arrivals and departures and provided assistance to affected passengers, including hotel accommodations, food vouchers, and water and sandwiches at the airport. Nearly 500 travelers were transported by land to their destinations.

Recurrent airspace restrictions in Moscow

The recent disruptions are part of a pattern of airspace closures in Moscow, governed by a security protocol known as "Kover" (or "carpet"). This protocol allows for the closure of airspace when a military threat or unidentified objects are detected. According to reports, the four Moscow airports experienced frequent interruptions in October, sometimes for up to nine hours a day.

No financial compensation announced

Russian authorities have not yet seen financial losses that would justify specific compensation for airlines and airports affected by the drone alerts. Officials from the Russian Federal Air Transport Agency and the Ministry of Transport said they are monitoring the situation but have not announced new financial support to cover losses from the disruptions.