On May 8, 2025, Russian airports, including Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky, continue to struggle with the aftermath of an aviation collapse triggered by restrictions following a series of drone attacks on Moscow. Although the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation has stated that these airports are operating in a regular mode, accepting and dispatching flights, they have yet to return to their standard schedules.
As of the morning of May 8, there were 51 flights delayed for departure and 43 for arrival. The Ministry of Transport expects a return to normal operations by 18:00 on the same day. In a statement made at 13:53, Rosaviatsiya noted that Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg had accepted 108 aircraft redirected due to the closure of Moscow's airports on May 6-7, and was no longer functioning as a backup.
Despite assurances from officials, reports from social media and Telegram channels paint a grim picture of overcrowded airports. Some passengers have been stranded for over 30 hours, with many recounting harrowing experiences. For instance, passengers on a Ural Airlines flight from Moscow to Chita spent two nights at Domodedovo Airport, with their flight, originally scheduled for 19:40 on May 6, finally departing at 06:40 on May 8.
The situation is particularly dire for travelers heading to Turkey. Passengers on Turkish Airlines have faced cancellations and delays, with reports indicating that over 15,000 people have been affected by canceled flights from Turkish airlines such as Turkish Airlines and Pegasus Airlines. At Vnukovo Airport, 31 flights to and from Moscow were canceled on May 8, along with eight night flights scheduled for May 9. Only flights to Istanbul remained operational.
Moreover, more than 1,500 tourists have been unable to return to Russia from Turkey and are currently housed in hotels in Antalya, with Russian tour operators scrambling to arrange their return. Meanwhile, those waiting to depart are often left without basic amenities. Reports indicate that passengers on flights to Istanbul and Antalya face delays of a day or more, and food and water are scarce. In some cases, passengers have received vouchers for food that are insufficient to cover even a cup of coffee, and some cafes have run out of products.
At Sheremetyevo Airport, passengers on a flight to Krasnoyarsk experienced delays exceeding 12 hours, with Aeroflot representatives reportedly avoiding communication. Some passengers claimed that the vouchers they received were empty. Vnukovo Airport has faced similar issues, with Turkish airlines canceling all their flights after numerous delays, leaving travelers stranded in the terminal without clarity on when they might be able to return home.
According to Rosaviatsiya, out of 186 aircraft that landed at alternative airports on May 6-7, 165 have already departed. However, the Ministry of Transport believes that the flight schedule will normalize by the evening of May 8, even as conditions remain tense on the ground.
The chaos in the skies has coincided with a mass drone attack on Moscow, which has caused significant disruptions. On May 7, the Ministry of Defense reported that the air defense system had shot down 534 drones and five Neptune missiles within a single day. The attacks continued into the evening, with Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announcing the elimination of several drones targeting the capital.
In the backdrop of this turmoil, several international leaders arrived in Moscow on May 7, including the President of Mongolia, the President of Venezuela, and the President of Cuba, among others. Their arrival coincides with the heightened security measures being implemented at Russian airports, particularly in light of the upcoming Victory Day celebrations.
Vnukovo Airport has announced stricter security measures from May 8 to May 12 to ensure passenger safety during this period. Passengers meeting or seeing off individuals at the airport will not be allowed into the terminal. Enhanced inspections will be conducted, requiring passengers to present transportation documents, such as boarding passes or route receipts. Authorities are advising travelers to arrive early to avoid delays.
Similarly, Sheremetyevo Airport has warned of increased passenger screening and has urged people to refrain from joking about the presence of explosive devices in luggage or hand baggage. These measures reflect the heightened security concerns amid ongoing tensions.
The aviation crisis has left many citizens without the vacations they had planned during the May holidays, with some forced to postpone trips due to the numerous delays and cancellations. As the situation unfolds, passengers and airport authorities alike are hoping for a swift resolution to the ongoing disruptions, with the Ministry of Transport's assurances that normal operations are expected to resume soon.
