Flights halted, airport operations ceased

Drone Attacks from Ukraine Cause Chaos at Russian Airports

On a typical Wednesday, airports buzz with activity. But on May 7th, several Russian airports fell silent due to an unwelcome surge of drone attacks from Ukraine. Here's the lowdown on this chaotic situation.

Airports in Kirov, Nizhny Novgorod, and Tambov shut down operations, with temporary restrictions imposed in Kazan and Nizhnekamsk, as per Rosaviation. Moscow airports, Domodedovo and Zhukovsky, alerted passengers of potential schedule alterations, including flight delays and shifts to alternate airfields, confirming their efforts to ensure flight safety.

To keep passengers in the loop, they were encouraged to verify flight status online, via phone, or through specialized Telegram bots before embarking on their airport journey. By midday Moscow time, operations at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky resumed, according to Rosaviation reports.

At Sheremetyevo, 54 outgoing and incoming flights were canceled, predominantly operated by Aeroflot, Rossiya, and Pobeda airlines, with over 100 flights being relocated.

With the grounding of many flights, aviation companies prepared for possible changes in operations. The renowned Aeroflot announced potential flight cancellations or consolidations, ensuring passengers of rebooking options if alternative flights were available or a full refund.

Aeroflot's sister airline, Russia, and Pobeda also warned of probable flight cancellations, while Ural Airlines reported 18 flight cancellations, nine aircraft redirected, and around 40 delayed. Over 8,500 people were left waiting for flights to and from Moscow, spread across various cities in Russia and abroad. These passengers were provided the option to exchange their tickets for alternate dates or secure a refund.

Airports like Domodedovo also reported the cancellation of some flights and the rerouting of others, advising passengers to verify their flight information before leaving for the airport. Passengers were offered the choice to obtain a refund or change their ticket to another flight if seats were available.

Azur Air, Nordwind, and Nordstar also issued warnings about potential modifications and the need to monitor current schedules. Pulkovo airport accepted 74 aircraft as an alternate airport on May 6 and 7, with aircraft being sent to their destinations, some awaiting departure.

The rise in drone attacks from Ukraine exposed a significant impact on flights and passengers in Russian airports. Key takeaways include:

Disrupted Flights

Airport Shutdowns: Major airports like those in Moscow temporarily halted operations due to the drone attacks, and regional airports in cities such as Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, and Kazan were affected.

Affected Passengers

Stranded Passengers: Passenger disruptions resulted in thousands being left waiting at airports throughout Russia. In Siberia alone, over 4,000 passengers were affected due to flight delays and cancellations stemming from the Moscow airport closures.

These drone attacks not only shed light on the escalating conflict between Ukraine and Russia but also presented challenges for air travel security and passenger convenience, occurring during the critical preparation period for Russia's Victory Day celebrations.

The telegram bots were utilized by the airports to keep passengers informed about the status of their flights due to the chaotic situation caused by drone attacks in Nizhnekamsk, Kazan, and other Russian cities.
In addition to the airports in Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, and Tambov, the airports in cities like Nizhnekamsk were temporarily affected by the suspended operations, as per Rosaviation's reports.
The impact of the drone attacks from Ukraine extended to general news and politics, as the chaos at Russian airports became a topic of discussion amidst ongoing war-and-conflicts and geopolitical tensions.
After the suspension, the operations at airports like Domodedovo resumed by midday Moscow time, according to Rosaviation reports, although many passengers were left waiting for flights, both within Russia and abroad.