Flight Disruptions: Your Action Plan and Available Aid

Disrupted Flights: Chaos in Russian Skies

On May 6 and the wee hours of May 7, numerous airports in the heart of Russia and the Volga region were hit by temporary restrictions, causing quite a stir. From the bustling streets of Moscow to the picturesque city of Sochi, airports like Kazan, Nizhnekamsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Kirov, Yaroslavl, Samara, Saratov, Volgograd, Ivanovo, and Kaluga were all affected.

Over 350 flights and 60,000 passengers felt the brunt of cancellations and delays, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia. Despite efforts from airlines and airports to get things back on track, normalcy is still a pipedream, as even a minor delay can set off a "domino effect" of delays.

Airlines are grappling with the task of completing delayed flights and maintaining the current schedule, a challenge due to restricted technical and human resources. Arthur Muradyan, Vice President of ATOUR and General Director of Space Travel, advises understanding the situation as it concerns flight safety.

The disruptions weren't confined to domestic flights, either. Popular international destinations, such as Antalya, Istanbul, Dubai, Dalaman, and Bodrum from Vnukovo, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi from Domodedovo, were also affected. To manage the surge, many aircraft were redirected to alternate airports, with Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg receiving around 70 unplanned flights — a significant workload even for a large airport.

Gearing up for higher-than-usual traffic due to upcoming holiday weekends, travelers should brace themselves for potential flight cancellations or delays. Here's a list of actionable tips on how to handle such situations:

Seeking Information

The fastest and most reliable way to get information about your flight is by checking the online board on the airport's website. If you're already at the airport, simply take a look at the board. It's beneficial to check both the departure and arrival airports' online boards to keep track of connecting flights. Additionally, airlines notify passengers about changes in the schedule via SMS, email, and calls, so make sure your contact details are accurate when purchasing an airline ticket.

Dealing with Delays

Keep your eyes peeled for updates on the board to avoid missing any news about your flight's new departure time.
Search for charging spots to ensure your phone stays juiced.
Try to access the business lounge, especially in Moscow and other large airports. Business lounges offer comfort, food, drinks, separate restrooms, children's rooms, and showers for a fee. It's often more cost-effective than buying food, water, and coffee at airport cafes.
During delays of more than 2 hours, the airline must provide passengers with water, and delays of over 4 hours necessitate hot food.
If the flight is delayed by more than 6 hours at night and more than 8 hours during the day, the airline must accommodate passengers in a hotel and organize transportation, as per Federal Aviation Rules. However, during mass delays, there might not be enough rooms in hotels near the airport, and airlines may not be able to meet this requirement. In such cases, finding a hotel room on your own, keeping the receipt, and then asking the airline for compensation may be a smart move.

Handling Cancellations

Re-book your ticket for the nearest available flights free of charge.
Request a full refund for your ticket. Although refunds are usually an option with airlines like Aeroflot, S7, and Ural Airlines, it might not be the smartest choice if you're not in your home city when the flight is cancelled. In such situations, re-booking your flight is more advantageous.
Consider alternative transportation like trains, if the train schedule suits your plans and there are available tickets. If flights are infrequent and you could miss an important event, this might be a better choice.

Arriving at Alternative Airports

Passengers are entitled to the same services as those with delayed flights, such as drinks, food, and hotel accommodation, depending on the waiting time. However, in reality, you might have to endure long stays on the plane if the airline plans to depart soon. Additionally, there might not be enough jet bridges or buses to transport passengers to the terminal if many planes have landed unexpectedly.

Overall, the disruptions were the result of heightened security measures and airspace closures following a series of large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks on May 6 and 7, 2025. Stay updated on potential travel disturbances by checking the airport websites and social media for updates. After all, being a traveler in this complicated world requires staying informed and adaptable.

Side note:Mass delays and cancellations in Russian airports: What's known about the situation on May 7, 2025. Read more.

Thousands of travelers stranded in departure zones: What's happening in Moscow's airports after drone attack. Read more.

"Stuck on the plane for five hours, at least the toilets are working": What's happening in Russian airports after flight cancellations and delays. Read more.

[1] RBC News. "Mass delays and cancellations in Russian airports: What's known about the situation on May 7." May 27, 2025. [Accessed May 27, 2025]. https://www.rbc.ru/travel/25/05/2025/5eff0c3d9a79475a278735b3

[3] Kommersant. "Mass delays and cancellations in Moscow airports." May 26, 2025. [Accessed May 27, 2025]. https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/4356963

[5] Sputnik. "Large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks disrupt Russian airports, force flight cancellations." May 7, 2025 [Accessed May 27, 2025]. https://sputniknews.com/world/202505071074885124-ukraine-drone-attacks-disrupt-russian-airports/

The disruptions in Russian skies on May 6 and 7 affected numerous airports, including Nizhny Novgorod, causing cancellations and delays for over 350 flights and 60,000 passengers.
Arthur Muradyan, Vice President of ATOUR and General Director of Space Travel, advises travelers to understand the flight safety situation, as airlines are grappling with completing delayed flights and maintaining the current schedule.
To manage the surge of passengers due to upcoming holiday weekends, travelers should be prepared for potential flight cancellations or delays and seek information about their flights on the airport's online board.
During delays, travelers can access the business lounge for comfort, food, drinks, separate restrooms, children's rooms, and showers for a fee, especially in Moscow and other large airports.
The general news and lifestyle sections have been reporting on the disruptions in Russian airports, linking them to heightened security measures and airspace closures following a series of large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks.