A large-scale crisis in the aviation sector continues in Moscow and the surrounding regions: Russian authorities have officially announced a temporary suspension of operations at the main Moscow airports

Chas Pravdy - 23 May 2025 00:15

According to reports from Russian media, citing data from "Rosaviatsiya," a decision was made on Tuesday evening to suspend activity at three key transport hubs — Vnukovo, Domodedovo, and Zhukovsky airports. This came as a surprise to passengers and tourists who had planned their flights during this period. It is known that just a few hours earlier, no official statements regarding the reasons for such a drastic measure had been made; however, sources within aviation structures report that the temporary closure is related to increased risks and security threats to air travel. According to preliminary information, this step is intended to restore control over the situation and prevent potential incidents. It should be noted that the situation at Russian airports, particularly in the Moscow region, has been deteriorating for several months. From January to May 2025, regional air transport centers encountered at least 217 cases of forced shutdowns or restrictions due to suspicions of drone attacks. Elevated tension was especially observed around critical airport facilities, leading to significant delays, widespread cancellations, and logistical disruptions. Currently, it remains unclear how long the temporary closure will last and what specific measures will be implemented to restore operations in the near future. Meanwhile, experts emphasize that this situation highlights the urgent need to strengthen security systems and improve countermeasures against modern threats in the airspace. Passengers and airline companies are watching the developments with concern, as the suspension of operations at three major Moscow airports significantly complicates the planning of long-haul flights and domestic routes in the region. It is also important to consider that this situation could impact the overall situation in the country's aviation industry and cause additional logistical challenges, affecting the economic and social aspects of residents' daily lives. It is expected that Russian authorities will provide an additional official comment on the situation in the coming hours or days, and experts are urging the public to remain calm and follow safety instructions. The current situation with the temporary closure of Moscow airports raises many questions, mainly about how quickly and effectively their operations can be restored and what measures will be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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