Passengers at Moscow's major airports have faced a chaotic scene since May 6, 2025, as drone attacks have led to extensive flight delays and cancellations. Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Sheremetyevo airports have been overwhelmed with travelers waiting for their flights, many of whom have resorted to sleeping on the floors.
The situation has been dire, with numerous flights postponed or entirely canceled. Planes originally scheduled to land in Moscow have been diverted to other cities, and passengers have often been kept onboard for hours without being allowed to disembark. The primary cause of these disruptions has been attributed to drone attacks, which have prompted authorities to implement the 'Kover' plan, a measure typically reserved for nighttime operations but now activated multiple times during the day.
Reports indicate that dozens of flights have been delayed, with the possibility of further cancellations looming. Passengers have been seen storming information desks in search of updates on their travel plans. "At Sheremetyevo, passengers looking to check the status of delayed flights or change their tickets are being sent to information desks, where queues stretch for tens of meters," reported the Telegram channel Ostorozhno Moskva.
On May 6 and 7, the airline Pobeda officially announced the cancellation of several flights. Aeroflot also indicated that some flights might be canceled or combined, allowing passengers to rebook for another time if seats are available or receive a full refund.
As the situation unfolded, many travelers described the scene at the airports as reminiscent of rush hour in the subway, with crowds filling every corner. Reports from the Telegram channel Moscow with a Fire noted that the airports advised travelers to arrive early due to heightened security checks.
During the night of May 6, at least 74 planes were rerouted to St. Petersburg, where passengers on some flights were kept onboard for six to seven hours. This included flights from Antalya, Dubai, Tashkent, and Chelyabinsk, with some passengers still waiting to disembark. One particularly unfortunate flight from Istanbul to Moscow made several unscheduled landings, extending a journey that typically takes around five hours to an exhausting 17 hours.
Adding to the complications, tensions between India and Pakistan have led to further rerouting of flights. A flight from Moscow to Phuket was forced to turn back mid-air due to the escalating conflict, with passengers now facing a longer journey that bypasses Pakistan entirely.
In Domodedovo, the State Kremlin Orchestra, which also found itself stranded at the airport, attempted to lighten the mood by performing for the frustrated passengers. This small gesture provided a brief respite amid the turmoil.
As of the morning of May 7, restrictions were lifted in Zhukovsky and Domodedovo, but the chaos continued. Eyewitness accounts revealed that the terminals were still overflowing with travelers. The Vnukovo airport had resumed operations without restrictions by 4:08 AM, but the backlog of canceled flights from the previous day continued to disrupt schedules.
Between 4:00 PM on May 6 and 8:00 AM on May 7, approximately 50 flights were canceled at Vnukovo, including popular routes to Dubai, Istanbul, and Antalya. The situation at Sheremetyevo was similarly grim, with reports indicating that every third flight was canceled, leaving many passengers stranded.
In response to the mounting frustration, the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation issued a statement emphasizing the need for airlines to address the long waits and ensure that passengers are not left on board for extended periods during airport restrictions. Deputy Minister Vladimir Poteskin underscored that any disputes should favor the passengers and called for airlines to take appropriate measures to resolve such situations swiftly.
Meanwhile, the fallout from these disruptions has extended beyond Moscow. Approximately 400 passengers found themselves stranded in New Delhi, unable to return to Moscow due to an Aeroflot flight that was diverted after detecting a burnt plastic smell. These travelers have been stuck in the Indian capital's airport for over a day, with little information on when they might be able to fly home.
As the day progressed, the situation remained fluid. While some flights began to resume, many passengers continued to face uncertainty. The Association of Tour Operators reported that the disruptions affected at least 350 flights and approximately 60,000 passengers, further compounding the chaos.
In the wake of these events, travelers have been advised to remain patient and stay updated through official airline and airport channels. With the looming threat of further drone attacks, the future of air travel in Moscow remains uncertain, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.
In anticipation of the upcoming Victory Day celebrations, enhanced security measures are set to be implemented at Vnukovo and other airports from May 8 to May 12. Authorities are urging passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flights and to refrain from making any comments related to security, as violations could lead to serious consequences.
As the situation develops, the impact of these disruptions will likely be felt for some time, as the ripple effects of delayed and canceled flights continue to unfold.
