More than 150 flights delayed at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport after overnight restrictions

More than 150 arrivals and departures were delayed at Moscow’s Vnukovo airport on the morning of October 9, and around 45 flights were canceled, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia said.

The airport handled no arrivals or departures for more than six hours because of flight restrictions. The restrictions were lifted by 7 a.m., and Vnukovo resumed operations, TourDom reported, citing the airport press service. Airlines nevertheless needed time to prepare flights and restore their schedules.

More than 150 flights were behind schedule and around 45 had been canceled, according to figures published by the Association of Tour Operators of Russia on its Telegram channel. In some cases, delays reached 24 hours or more. Passengers who had been waiting to depart before the restrictions began were taken off their planes and moved into the terminal. Airport staff distributed water and mats.

A large queue had formed outside the airport earlier that morning. A witness estimated that around 1,000 people were waiting. After the restrictions ended, the airport had to organize arrivals and departures while working through the accumulated delays.