On May 7, 2025, chaos erupted at Perm's Bolshoye Savino airport as ten flights to Moscow and Sochi were abruptly canceled due to drone attacks on the capital. This sudden disruption left many passengers stranded and scrambling for answers, with travelers expressing their shock and frustration over the situation.
Among those affected was a young woman who had been eagerly anticipating her vacation. "Tour operators can’t do anything. We’ll have to cancel our trips. We’re in shock, our vacation is ruined!" she told 59.RU, reflecting the sentiments of numerous passengers caught off guard by the cancellations.
According to the online flight board at Bolshoye Savino, the cancellations were not limited to flights heading to Moscow and Sochi. A flight to Vnukovo that was scheduled to depart on May 6 at 23:20 was first rescheduled to 07:55 and ultimately canceled. Furthermore, three flights planned for May 7 at 06:10 and 07:05 to Vnukovo, along with another at 13:30 to Sheremetyevo, were also scrapped.
In addition to the outbound flights, a flight from Moscow that was supposed to arrive in Perm at 23:20 on May 6 was rescheduled to 07:15 and then canceled. Three morning flights from Moscow to Perm on May 7, scheduled to arrive at 03:45, 04:00, and 12:40, were also canceled, leaving travelers in a difficult position.
The situation was compounded by the cancellation of a flight from Sochi to Perm, which was scheduled to arrive at 04:20. The ripple effects of the drone attacks were felt across the region, with delays and cancellations reported at various airports.
Mayor Sergey Sobyanin confirmed that Moscow was under attack from drones on the night of May 6. In a Telegram post, he stated, "The Ministry of Defense's air defense forces repelled an attack of seven drones flying towards Moscow. Emergency services are working at the crash sites." This alarming development prompted immediate safety measures, including the temporary closure of two major airports in Moscow.
As the morning unfolded, Sobyanin reported the destruction of two additional drones at 05:55 on May 7. The impact of these attacks forced restrictions on air traffic at Domodedovo and Zhukovsky airports, further complicating travel plans for many.
In total, four flights from Perm to Moscow and one to Sochi were canceled on May 7, 2025. The airline operating these flights confirmed that five flights from Bolshoye Savino to Moscow were called off, including the one scheduled for May 6 at 23:20 and four on May 7 at 06:10, 06:25, 07:05, and 13:30. The flight to Sochi, initially set to depart at 05:50, was also canceled.
The cascade of cancellations extended beyond just these flights. Five flights from Moscow to Perm were also scrapped, which were meant to land at 22:25 on May 6 and at 00:45, 00:45, 03:45, and 12:40 on May 7. Additionally, the flight from Sochi that was supposed to arrive at Bolshoye Savino at 04:20 was canceled, adding to the mounting frustrations.
Travelers were not only dealing with canceled flights but also delays in other routes. A flight to Yerevan was postponed from its original departure time of 20:10 on May 7 to 2:00 on May 8, 2025. This further illustrates the widespread disruption caused by the drone attacks.
Earlier in the day, airports in Sochi, Moscow, and Kazan had also been temporarily closed due to the drone threat, although restrictions were later lifted at Sochi, Sheremetyevo, and Vnukovo airports.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of air travel in the region amid increasing tensions. The drone attacks not only disrupted routine travel but also raised concerns about the safety and security of air travel in Russian airspace.
As authorities work to assess the situation and ensure the safety of passengers, many are left wondering about the future of air travel in the region and how such incidents will be managed moving forward. With the rising frequency of drone-related incidents, it is clear that security measures will need to be reevaluated to protect travelers and maintain the integrity of air travel.
In the aftermath of the chaos, travelers are urged to stay informed about their flight statuses and be prepared for further disruptions. As the situation develops, airlines and airport authorities are expected to provide updates and assistance to those affected by the cancellations.
As the dust settles from this incident, it remains to be seen how the airline industry in Russia will adapt to these new challenges and what steps will be taken to enhance security protocols to prevent future disruptions.
